Huskers Win Northeast Classic Title

New Castle, Del. - Behind a 13-0 weekend and three Huskers finishing in the top 30 of the individual rankings, the third-ranked Nebraska bowling team claimed the Northeast Classic title. NU tallied a total pinfall of 13,814 and a season high 215.8 average on the weekend. 

The Big Red took on No. 2 Jacksonville State in their first round best-of-seven baker match. The Huskers started with Desiree Buchert, Karina Capron, Kayla Verstraete, Anna Callan and Jillian Martin. Nebraska topped the Gamecocks, 213-182, in game one after hitting four-straight strikes late in the game to go up 1-0. In game two, Jacksonville State took control after hitting six strikes to defeat the Huskers, 225-179, despite Martin’s strikeout in the 10th frame. The Cornhuskers dropped another as Jacksonville State hit seven strikes in a row in game three to take down NU, 234-192, making it a 2-1 lead for the Gamecocks. Martin led the way for the Huskers in the fourth game with two strikes and the game-sealing spare in the 10th as NU took down Jacksonville State, 248-246, to tie the match again. Nebraska recorded eight strikes and rolled a 263 over the Gamecocks’ 227 in game five as NU took back the match lead, 3-2. Verstraete tallied her fifth-straight strike in game six and the Huskers recorded eight strikes total with four coming from Martin. The team scored a 210 to win their third-straight game in the match to defeat Jacksonville State, 4-2, as Nebraska advanced to the championship match. 

Nebraska matched up with the No. 18 University of Maryland Eastern Shore in a second round match holding no playoff implications. The Cornhuskers started game one with seven consecutive strikes and rolled a 245 to take a 1-0 lead. Martin led the Huskers in game two with three strikes as the team scored a 237 over the Hawks’ 184, bringing the match lead to 2-0. The Big Red bowled a 202 in game three and topped Maryland Eastern Shore, 202-191, to go up 3-0. NU finished off the Hawks, 211-174, in game four to sweep Maryland Eastern Shore, 4-0. 

In the championship match, Nebraska met No. 4 Youngstown State, a rematch from the championship match at the Garden State Classic where the Penguins prevailed, 4-1. Despite only hitting two strikes in the first game, NU found themselves on top, outscoring the Penguins, 165-154. The Huskers recorded six strikes in game two, four more than in game one, as the team rolled a 222 to top Youngstown State, 222-187, to take a 2-0 lead. Verstraete and Martin led the way for the Huskers in game three, both recording two strikes respectively as Nebraska edged the Penguins, 213-205, to go up 3-0. In the fourth, the Big Red delivered five strikes in a row and eight total. Martin had half the team’s strikes with four, three coming from the 10th frame to close out Youngstown State, 235-213, sweeping the Penguins for the championship. 

Three Huskers finished in the top 30 for individual performances. Martin finished fourth overall and was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament with a total pinfall of 1,144 and a 228.8 average. Capron was in 13th with a total pinfall of 1,101 and average of 220.2. Callan finished at 26th with a total pinfall of 1,064 and a 212.8 average.

NU returns to the lanes next weekend, Jan. 24-26, as the Huskers travel to Arlington, Texas, for the Prairie View A&M Invite hosted by Prairie View A&M.

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

Northeast Classic Top 10 Teams
No. 3 Nebraska
No. 4 Youngstown State 
No. 5 Arkansas State 
No. 2 Jacksonville State 
No. 6 Stephen F. Austin
No. 7 Wichita State 
No. 11 Sacred Heart
No. 14 Duquesne
No. 17 Mount St. Mary’s
No. 9 Maryville