Bessemer, Ala. --- The Minnesota State University women’s bowling team concluded play at the Holiday Collegiate Classic with a strong fifth-place finish out of a 12-team field after going 2-1 – with both wins coming against ranked opponents – in three Baker Format matches (Best Four-out-of-Seven Games).
The Mavericks finished ahead of four nationally-ranked teams (#4 Nebraska, #6 Arkansas State, #11 Alabama A&M and #20 Florida A&M) in the tournament, and improved their record to 26-34 on the year.
MSU opened with a 4-1-1 loss to #6 Arkansas State. ASU jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Mavericks took a tight third game by three pins, 191-188. A tie score of 180 followed in the fourth before Arkansas State closed out the match with two more wins. Sophomore Hali Clark had only one open frame in 12 frames of action in the match, closing with 11 straight marks.
Minnesota State then entered bracket play, squaring off against #20 Florida A&M in a match that went the distance, eventually turning into a 4-3 victory for the Mavericks. The team that bowled on the right lane won every game in the seesaw match, including the pivotal seventh game that MSU posted its highest-game of the day to that point in a 204-186 clincher. Clark had only two opens in 14 frames of action, while freshman Amanda Klinger came off the bench to provide six fills – including three strikes – in seven frames.
A rematch with Arkansas State awaited MSU in the fifth-place match, and the Mavericks avenged their loss from earlier in the day with a hard-fought 4-3 triumph. Minnesota State eeked out a 198-197 win in the first game, before ASU took game two by a 210-203 score. In that second game though, the Mavericks started a 20-frame mark streak that extended into the fourth game.
During the third game, MSU enjoyed a clean sheet in cruising to a 233-132 win, and a 2-1 lead. However, Arkansas State took the next two games to push the Mavericks to the brink of defeat. Once again though, Minnesota State was able to bounce back, getting marks in its first nine frames of the sixth game to squeeze out a 190-188 win and to set up a penultimate Game Seven.
In the seventh game, the Mavericks stormed out of the gate with four consecutive strikes to open the sheet, racing out to an early lead they never would yield in earning a 210-158 victory in the game and the match. Both sophomore Jackie Nolt and Klingermarked in all 14 frames they bowled in the match, with junior Kelsey Dunkle and Clark having only two opens in the match. Senior Sarah Izydorek served as the MSU anchor in the win, and had nine strikes during the match.
The Mavericks will next be in action beginning on March 18th, when they travel to Smyrna, Tenn., to take part in the Music City Classic.
