LAS VEGAS, Nev. - McKendree women's bowling posted a perfect 13-0 to claim the title at the Stormin' Blue & White Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. for the second consecutive year. Three Bearcats placed in the top ten individually, earning them a spot on the All-Tournament team. The win for the three-day event marked the Bearcats' third team title of the season.
On Sunday, McKendree sealed the top spot in the standings after going 5-0 on the day and amassing a 5,616 pinfall total in five Baker matches. On day two, the Bearcats continued their sweep with another 5-0 performance in the traditional games and earned the number-one seed heading into bracket play on Tuesday.
In the first round of bracket play, McKendree faced second-seeded Vanderbilt, who jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with scores of 223-196 and 216-204. However, the Bearcats would bounce back to win four straight games over the Commodores with scores of 215-192, 247-244, 236-234, and 247-211. McKendree snagged the 4-2 win over No. 3-ranked Vanderbilt to advance to the championship.
In the second round, McKendree played against 14-seeded Spalding, though the game would not affect the Bearcats' bid to the championship. McKendree took the win over Spalding, 4-0.
For the championship, McKendree met once again with Vanderbilt. The Commodores took the first game 245-200 while the Bearcats would tie the score at 1-1 with a 215-156 win in the second game. McKendree won the third and fourth games by seven or fewer pins, posting scores of 217-210 and 185-183. Vanderbilt attempted to overcome the 3-1 deficit in game five with a 202-182 win, though McKendree would ultimately take the title with a 244-192 victory in game six.
Three individuals from McKendree were selected to the All-Tournament team as senior
Rebecca Hagerman finished second, senior
Maranda Pattison took fifth, and fifth-year senior
Angelique Dalesandro recorded a sixth-place finish for the Bearcats. The tournament marked Hagerman's third, Pattison's second, and Dalesandro's first All-Tournament team honors of the season.
Final Stormin' Blue & White Classic Standings:
1. No. 1 McKendree
2. No. 3 Vanderbilt
3. No. 4 Nebraska
4. No. 9 Louisiana Tech
5. No. 13 Maryland-Eastern Shore
6. No. 5 Stephen F. Austin
7. No. 11 Maryville
8. No. 16 Newman
9. No. 17 Tulane
10. Mount St. Mary's
11. Texas Southern
12. Daemen
13. Prairie View A&M
14. Spalding
Following the win, the Bearcats improve to 47-5 overall on the season and extend their win streak to 16. McKendree will be back in action at the Northeasst Classic hosted by Sacred Heart University on Jan. 20-22.
