Huskers 9-1 Through Two Days at Northeast Classic

New Castle Del. - The Nebraska bowling team has secured the fourth place seed at the Northeast Classic after a 4-1 day, bringing their overall tournament record to 9-1 with a 10,435 total pinfall. Desiree Buchert led the Big Red with 1,115 pins on the afternoon, the fourth highest total for an individual bowler on Saturday. 

In the first of five traditional matches, the Huskers met Morgan State in a match that counted towards positional seeding. NU started off strong with four games over 200 as Lani Breedlove led the Huskers with a 223, Kayla Verstraete shot 210, Breanna Hartzler rolled a 205, while Buchert finished with a 201. Jillian Martin (170) still impressed in the Huskers’ 1009-906 victory over Morgan State.

With a 6-0 overall record, NU then took on New Jersey City University. Verstraete continued her strong performance with a match-high 266, Breedlove rolled a 223, while Martin (203) eclipsed the 200 pin mark for the first time on Saturday. Buchert (187) and Hartzler (181) rounded out the group for the Big Red as Nebraska grabbed a convincing 1060-837 win over the Knights.

The Huskers then faced No. 24 Delaware State in the third match of the day. Buchert led the way with 240 pins while Verstraete recorded her third-straight 200 game as she rolled a 227. Hartzler (200), Martin (181), and Breedlove (179) joined the other two for a narrow 1027-971 victory over the Hornets. It marked the Huskers second ranked victory of the tournament up to this point and their third straight game topping 1000 pins as a team. Verstraete sat in sixth place in the individual standings with a 234.33 average through a trio of matches.

Still unbeaten, Nebraska took on Wilmington in the fourth match of the day looking to build upon its 8-0 record. Buchert led the Big Red with a team-high 268, while Hartzler followed closely with a 245. All five Huskers finished north of 200 pins as Verstraete (226), Breedlove (212), and Martin (205) each pieced together impressive showings against the Wildcats. Nebraska secured its ninth win of the tournament with a 1156-839 victory over Wilmington, and set a match high for team pinfall this weekend.

NU finished the day against No. 5 NCATSU, its toughest test of the tournament thus far. Buchert led at 219, edging Martin (218) by one pin at the top for the Huskers. Breedlove would provide the lone 190, tallying 192, while Hartzler (184) and Verstraete (170) rounded out the Big Red lineup. It marked the Huskers first loss of the tournament as they finished with a 983 against No. 5 NCATSU’s 1077, but secured their place as the fourth overall seed and a chance for the tournament title.

The Huskers, looking for back-to-back titles in the Northeast Classic, continue competition tomorrow starting at 7:25 a.m. (CT). Each team will compete in three rounds of best-of-seven baker matches to determine final tournament placements as Nebraska begins against No. 3 Youngstown State.

Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram, and Facebook. Additionally, all matches will be broadcasted on the Nebraska bowling Facebook page.