Las Vegas, Nev. – The Nebraska Bowling team finished third at the 2023 Stormin’ Blue & Gold Vegas Classic with a total pinfall of 14,634 and a record of 8-5. The Huskers are now 45-21 on the year.
The Big Red earned a No. 3 seed for Tuesday’s championship bracket. The Huskers first faced the No. 4 seed Maryland Eastern Shore. The Huskers began the best-of-seven play with a win (206-183). Maryland Eastern Shore then answered back with three wins in a row over the Huskers (151-213), (178-201) and (186-214). The Big Red then sealed up the victory with three-straight wins (228-194), (213-184), (208-202) to advance to the next round of the championship bracket against Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt, who is ranked No. 3 in the NTCA poll, received the No. 2 seed overall in the tournament. The Huskers started the baker match with a loss (259-203), then answered back with a tie (203-203) and a win ( 246-216). Vanderbilt then continued with a double win (192-222, 214-215). The Huskers were then able to steal another win (203-170) before Vanderbilt sealed the final match (184-204) leaving the final score (2.5-4.5).
The Huskers then advanced to play Louisiana Tech who was the No. 6 seed of the tournament in the final matchup of the day. LA Tech came out early to steal the first two wins (199-215), (219-234) before Nebraska won the next three (212-191), (224-177) and (246-160). LA Tech then responded with one more win (183-193) before Nebraska sealed third place in the final game (227-214).
Two Huskers finished in the top 10 individual standings. Senior Crystal Elliott took first place with the overall highest total pinfall of 1,209 with an average of 241.80. Anna Callan also bowled at a high level earning a spot on the second tournament team finishing the day with a total pinfall of 1,096, good for seventh place.
Up next, Nebraska will return to the lanes Jan. 20-22 in Deptford, N.J. for the Northeast Classic.
Stormin’ Blue & White Vegas Classic Final Placements:
No. 1 McKendree: 14,374 (13-0)
No. 3 Vanderbilt: 14,397 (10-3)
No. 4 Nebraska: 14,634 (8-5)
No. 9 Louisiana Tech: 14,152 (9-4)
No. 10 Maryland Eastern Shore: 13,835 (8-5)
No. 5 Stephen F. Austin: 13,246 (8-5)
No. 11 Maryville: 14,037 (6-7)
No. 16 Newman: 13,397 (7-6)
No. 17 Tulane: 12,556 (7-6)
No. 15 Mount St. Mary’s: 12,289 (4-9)
Texas Southern: 11,616 (5-8)
Daemen: 12,128 (2-11)
Prairie View A&M: 11,286 (4-9)
Spalding: 9,333 (0-13)
