Huskers in Fifth after Second Day in Illinois

Lockport, Ill. - The first-ranked Nebraska bowling team went 4-1 in the second day of competition at the Storm Flyer Classic, bringing its overall tournament record to 8-2, with a 10,358 total pinfall, as the Huskers moved up to fifth place. 

The Cornhuskers started off day two in its first traditional match against No. 14 Wisconsin-Whitewater and started with Haley Swindle, Kayla Starr, Kayla Verstraete, Anna Callan and Jillian Martin. The Big Red started off hot with Swindle and Callan both putting a 247 in a match where the team recorded 12 consecutive strikes. Starr followed with a 226 and Verstraete added a 208. Martin rounded out the Big Red lineup in which each Husker tallied at least five strikes, as Nebraska took down the Warhawks, 1,134-870, after tallying 38 strikes to Wisconsin-Whitewater’s 19. 

In match two, the Huskers faced Indianapolis. Verstraete (238) and Starr (224) both bowled clean games. Callan bowled a 236, and Martin rolled a 193. Swindle added a 184 to the team score as NU topped the Greyhounds, 1,075-885, to start the day with a 2-0 record. 

Nebraska met the tournament host, Lewis, in the third. Each Husker scored at least 200 for the second time in the day, as the team was led by Swindle with a 237. Starr followed with a 225, and Verstraete rolled a 207 behind four consecutive strikes. Callan also tallied four straight strikes and bowled a 205, and Martin rounded out the lineup as the Cornhuskers defeated Lewis, 1,075-942. 

In the fourth match, the Big Red played Oklahoma Christian. Two Eagles bowlers started out with five/straight strikes, leading to an early lead for Oklahoma Christian. Callan led the way for the Huskers with seven strikes, three of which came in the 10th frame, and a 221. Starr (200) and Verstraete (198) each put up six strikes. Martin rolled a 184, and Swindle a 172. The Huskers rallied at the end of the match with nine-straight strikes, but were outlasted by the Eagles, 992-975, as the Cornhuskers were delivered their first loss of the day. 

In match five, NU matched up with Carroll. Behind six-straight strikes, Verstraete rolled a 238 to lead the Big Red. Martin followed close behind with a 225, and Starr added a 213. Swindle bowled a 200, and Callan added a 167 to the team’s score as Nebraska topped Carroll, 1,043-819, to finish the day, 4-1. 

Four Huskers currently sit in the top 25 for individual performances. Verstraete is seventh overall with a total pinfall of 1,089 and a 217.8 average. Starr is in eighth with a total pinfall of 1,088 and average of 217.6. Callan sits at 10th with a total pinfall of 1,076 and a 215.2 average. Swindle is 23rd with a total pinfall of 1,040 and average of 208. 

The Huskers return to the lanes tomorrow morning at 8:10 a.m. (CT) against No. 2 Vanderbilt in a best 4-of-7 baker match, followed by two additional rounds of best 4-of-7 baker matches, to determine final placements. 

Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram (@huskerbowling) and Facebook.

Storm Flyer Classic Top 10 Standings (Pinfall After First Day of Competition)
No. 2 Jacksonville State (10,973)
No. 7 Wichita State (10,693)
No. 6 North Carolina A&T (10,452)
No. 5 Youngstown State (10,405)
No. 1 Nebraska (10,358)
No. 2 Vanderbilt (10,226)
No. 10 Maryville (10,205)
No. 8 Sam Houston (10,138)
Oklahoma Christian (9,973)
No. 9 Stephen F. Austin (9,869)