Reigning Champion Ladyjacks Begin Title Defense in Orlando
10/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Bowling
Bethune-Cookman Wildcat Invitational
Friday, October 21 – Sunday, October 23, 2016
Boardwalk Bowl | Orlando, Fla.
Opening Frame
Stephen F. Austin, the reigning NCAA national champion, opens its title defense this weekend in Orlando, Florida, competing in the Bethune-Cookman Wildcat Invitational October 21st through 23rd.
Tournament Information
The opening tournament of the 2016-17 season will take place at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando as the Ladyjacks open up the year with 13 matches over the three-day event. The Bethune-Cookman Invitational begins Friday at 9 a.m. CT with five baker matches, followed by five traditional team matches starting Saturday at 9 a.m. CT. The tournament concludes Sunday with three best-of-seven baker style tournament matches, starting at 8:30 a.m. CT.
Participating Teams
Second-ranked SFA will be one of the 14 teams competing in this weekend’s season-opening event, nine of which are ranked among the preseason NTCA top-25 poll. Six of the top-10 will be in action, including top-ranked Nebraska, third-ranked Arkansas State, sixth-ranked Sam Houston State, eighth-ranked North Carolina A&T and 10th-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson. Maryland-Eastern Shore (No. 11), Monmouth (No. 16), Tulane (No. 18) and Prairie View A&M (No. 22) comprise the ranked opponents with Alabama State, Alabama A&M, Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M rounding out the field.
SFA Travel Squad
With the 2016-17 season beginning this weekend, the Ladyjacks will get their first look at the roster, which features a handful of returners. Reigning NTCA National Player of the Year Stephanie Schwartz returns for her junior year, joining seniors Paige Kraushaar and Carly Larson, juniors Kelsi Anderson and Morgan Reising and sophomores Paige Beeney and Dakotah Hazlewood. The trip to Orlando also marks the SFA debut of freshmen Megan Eaglehouse and Amber Whitcomb as the full Ladyjack roster will be in attendance.
Ladyjacks Second in Preseason NTCA Poll
After capturing the 2016 NCAA national championship, Stephen F. Austin opens the 2016-17 season ranked second in the NTCA preseason coaches poll. The Ladyjacks garnered 1,302 total points, including 22 of the possible 37 first place votes, finishing 10 points back of top-ranked Nebraska. SFA was the top vote getter among Southland Bowling League schools as seven of the eight conference teams made an appearance in the top-25.
Looking Back
SFA is coming off the most memorable season in program history in 2015-16, culminating in capturing the first Division I NCAA national title in program history. The Ladyjacks, who were the national runners-up in 2014-15, set a new program record with 88 victories last season, including nine top-five tournament finishes. The team success brought on a handful of individual accolades, including Stephanie Schwartz being named the NTCA National Player of the Year and a first team All-American.
Going to Disneyworld
For years, the old catch phrase for a team that won a championship was to celebrate by making a trip to Disneyworld. For the reigning champion Ladyjacks, that was more than just a saying as SFA began their trip to Florida with a stop in the Magic Kingdom Wednesday. Wearing shirts with the team motto “Make it Count” on the front, the Ladyjacks spend the day celebrating the efforts of the 2015-16 season.
The Streaks Continue
As the 2016-17 season continues, the Ladyjacks will look to continue a pair of impressive program streaks. Heading into this weekend’s event, SFA has finished in the top-10 of the team standings in 32-straight tournaments, dating back to the 2011-12 season. The Ladyjacks have also won at least 50 matches in six-straight seasons and have eclipsed the 60-win plateau in all five seasons under head coach Amber Lemke.
Looking Ahead
SFA will have a busy start to the 2016-17 schedule, competing in five tournaments in seven weekends during the fall season. Up next for the Ladyjacks is a trip to Houston for the annual Sam Houston State Track Kat Clash, being held November 4th through 6th.
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