Ladyjack Bowling Kickoff Regular Season at 2024 Destination Orlando Sunshine State Classic
10/17/2024 11:00:00 AM | Women's Bowling
Tournament Preview
Format and Schedule
The Destination Orlando Sunshine State Classic will follow the standard 13-match rotation this weekend at AMF Sky Lanes. There will be five baker matches on Friday beginning at 8:25 AM CT and total pinfall will determine the winners of each head-to-head match. Five traditional matches will follow on Saturday starting at 7:25 AM CT with pinfall again determining the winners. The total pins from the first 10 matches of the tournament will determine seeding for bracket play on Sunday, which begins at 7:25 AM CT. The bracket matches will be contested in a best-of-seven Baker format.
Friday, 8:25 AM - Five Baker Matches
Saturday, 7:25 AM - Five Traditional Matches
Sunday, 7:25 AM - Three best-of-seven Baker matches
SFA will get their first look at the majority of the Conference USA teams this weekend as five of the conference's ten teams outside of the Ladyjacks will be in action. SFA will see the reigning national champions #1 Jacksonville State, #2 Arkansas State, #3 Youngstown State, #4 Vanderbilt, #7 Louisiana Tech, and #13 Tulane this week in Orlando.
In addition to the high-ranking Conference USA teams, the Sunshine State Classic will also feature #5 Nebraska, #6 North Carolina A&T, #10 Duquesne, #12 Mount Saint Mary's, and #18 Sacred Heart in it's 24-team field.
Ranked Teams (11): #1 Jacksonville State, #2 Arkansas State, #3 Youngstown State, #4 Vanderbilt, #5 Nebraska, #6 North Carolina A&T, #7 Louisiana Tech, #10 Duquesne, #12 Mount Saint Mary's, #13 Tulane, #18 Sacred Heart.
Teams Receiving Votes (4): Bryant, Daemen, Monmouth, UAB
Unranked Teams (9): Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Delaware State, Emmanuel, Florida A&M, Jacksonville State, Prairie View A&M, Saint Anslem, Wright State
Conference USA Teams (6): Arkansas State, Jacksonville State, Stephen F. Austin, Tulane, Vanderbilt, Youngstown State
Last Time in Orlando
Entering Day 2 of the Classic, the Ladyjacks opened up Traditional Play against fellow CUSA opponent Youngstown State. Leading the SFA charge was Freshmen Juliana Kerrigan, bowling the first ever Ladyjack perfect game in team play. "I love team bowling, I love being able to turn around to a bunch of people who are going to smile and support me no matter what" Kerrigan stated in her interview after the match. "There's no other way to describe it besides other than I am exhilarated to be apart of the team." This is Kerrigan's second ever perfect game, bowling one other game at Junior Golds earlier in her career.
Following behind Kerrigan's performance, Megan George, Brystal Beyer, Matlyn Warner,and Kathleen Heady helped etched he Ladyjack name into NCAA History once again, scoring the highest Traditional Matchplay total ever recorded in their 1,252-1010 victory over Youngstown State University.
Two Ladyjacks finished with All-Tournament Team honors, both being some of the best Freshmen bowlers in the nation. Kerrigan finished first overall with a final pin total of 1,201 and an average of 240.20 (one of the highest averages in program history). Warner finished fifth overall with a final pin total of 1,144 and an average of 228.80.
Besides the strong Freshmen performances, a complete total of four Ladyjacks finished in the top 15 of the 179 bowler field. Beyer finished 7th with a 1,102 pin total and a 220.40 average. George finished 13th with a 1,068 pin total and a 213.60 average.
SFA went 10-0 over the first two days which featured wins over 7 teams either ranked in the Top 25 or receiving votes. They would finish fourth overall at the Classic.
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