Ladyjacks Remain Seventh in Latest NTCA Coaches Poll
3/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Bowling
WHITEWATER, Wis. – Stephen F. Austin remains seventh in the latest edition of the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll, released earlier this morning by the organization.
The Ladyjacks garnered 814 total points, remaining firmly in the number seven position, trailing sixth-place Fairleigh Dickinson by 72 points. SFA holds a 76-point advantage on eighth-place Maryland-Eastern Shore, who moved up one spot from the previous poll.
SFA has posted a 66-38 record in 2016-17, ranking second nationally in total wins and trailing second-ranked Nebraska’s 67 by one victory. 14th-ranked Tulane matched the Ladyjacks’ 66 victories on the year with fifth-ranked Vanderbilt registering 65 wins on the year.
The Ladyjacks competed in one event in the month of February, finishing fourth at the SFA Stormin’ Ladyjack Classic in Houston. SFA posted an 8-5 mark over the three-day event as junior Stephanie Schwartz earned All-Tournament honors, finishing fourth among the field.
For the first time in program history, McKendree is the nation’s top team, garnering 19 first place votes and 1,160 total points to edge out second-ranked Nebraska’s 13 first place votes and 1,146 points. Arkansas State (1,042 pts.) is third with Sam Houston State (992 pts.) fourth and Vanderbilt (912 pts.) fifth, giving the Southland Bowling League four of the nation’s top-seven programs.
SFA is preparing for a busy March, beginning with the USBC Team Sectionals being held March 11-12 in Dallas. That leads into the final regular season tournament in Smyrna, Tennessee, competing at the Vanderbilt Columbia 300 Music City Classic March 17-19, before the Southland Bowling League Championships March 25-26 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The Ladyjacks will use this final month to try and solidify its’ third-straight NCAA Championship appearance next month in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
March 2017 NTCA Coaches Poll
1. McKendree (19) – 1,160 pts.
2. Nebraska (13) – 1,146 pts.
3. Arkansas State * - 1,042 pts.
4. Sam Houston State * - 992 pts.
5. Vanderbilt * - 912 pts.
6. Fairleigh Dickinson – 886 pts.
7. Stephen F. Austin * - 814 pts.
8. Maryland-Eastern Shore – 738 pts.
9. Delaware State – 690 pts.
10. Central Missouri – 624 pts.
11. Sacred Heart – 552 pts.
12. Monmouth * - 498 pts.
13. Wisconsin-Whitewater – 494 pts.
14. Tulane * - 385 pts.
15. St. Francis (Pa.) – 322 pts.
16. LIU-Brooklyn – 292 pts.
17. Adelphi – 274 pts.
18. North Carolina A&T – 245 pts.
19. Prairie View A&M – 178 pts.
20. Franklin Pierce – 176 pts.
21. Norfolk State – 124 pts.
22. Alabama-Birmingham – 115 pts.
23. Youngstown State – 105 pts.
24. Fayetteville State – 60 pts.
T-25. St. Francis (N.Y.) – 23 pts.
T-25. Valparaiso * - 23 pts.
-SFA-
