LAS VEGAS, Nev. (January 10, 2022) – The Mount St. Mary's bowling team finished fifth at the Stormin' Blue & White Vegas Classic at the South Point Bowling Plaza on Monday. Beginning the day in the championship bracket, they suffered before a heartbreaking 3-4 best-of-seven loss to #5 Vanderbilt. After another loss in the bracket to #3 Nebraska, the Mount ended on a high note with a win over #10 Maryville. #2 McKendree won the tournament with a 4-3 win over #10 Stephen F. Austin.
 
Senior Tamera Stanton was the top performer for the Mount in bracket play with a 22.09 Baker frame average. Fellow senior Danielle Milo posted a 20.40 baker frame average, while senior Barbara Hawes provided much needed relief off the bench in the final match with a 19.80 frame average. Junior Amanda Yeung (19.29), senior Rebecca Dodson (19.31) and sophomore Alyssa Alexander (18.18) rounded out the scoring effort for MSM.
 
#9 Mount: 3 (173-255-213-234-203-165-208)
#5 Vanderbilt: 4 (165-218-253-225-244-166-254)
 
The morning after a tough five pin defeat to number one seed Stephen F. Austin, the Mount suffered another gut wrenching loss this time at the hands of Vanderbilt in the opening round of bracket play. MSM jumped out to a 3-1 lead thanks to an inspiring comeback after the opposition opened with six strikes in game four, but games of 244 and 254 allowed the Commodores to rally and remain in championship contention.
 
#9 Mount: 1 (188-155-234-150-213)
#3 Nebraska: 4 (210-186-213-224-245)
 
The Mount saw a much different Cornhusker squad than the one they beat two days prior as the number three team in the land looked like it, making quick work of the Mountaineers in five games. A rollercoaster of scores could not keep up with a consistent high scoring Nebraska squad, who averaged 215.6 during the set.
 
#9 Mount: 4 (226-130-241-186-235-206)
#10 Maryville 2 (200-190-206-240-189-205)
 
The Mount was able to salvage a winning weekend at another top tier tournament thanks to their 4-2 win over No. 10 Maryville. The first five games the team on the left lane took the victory before the Mountaineers buckled down and found a way to squeak out a one pin on the tougher lane. It was the first matchup between the two top ten teams this season.
 
"We are so close," said head coach Kenneth DeGraaf. "So, so, close to being able to enter the final day of a top tier tournament and come out victorious. If anything, I hope this weekend showed our ladies we are just barley behind the Vanderbilt's and Nebraska's of the college bowling world and on the cusp of building our own special thing here at The Mount. While we wish we could have come out on top, the excitement of playing in these national championship caliber matches are something you cherish win or lose. We look forward to more opportunities like this rest of the season."
 
With a record of 7-5 for the weekend, Mount St. Mary's continued their streak of winning marks lasting all season long. The Mountaineers will be back in action Jan. 21-23 at the Northeast Classic in New Jersey co-hosted by fellow NEC teams Sacred Heart and Long Island.