Huskers Travel to MOTIV Penguin Classic to Kick Off Season

Struthers, Ohio - The fifth-ranked Huskers will kick off the 2024-25 season this weekend, competing at the MOTIV Penguin Classic, hosted by No. 3 Youngstown State at Holiday Bowl. 

In last year’s appearance at the tournament, the Huskers took third place after going 8-5 with Brenna Hartzler earning runner-up honors. This year, the teams joining the Huskers include seven of the top 25 teams in the nation ranked by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA): No. 2 Arkansas State, No. 3 Youngstown State, No. 10 Duquesne, No. 17 Wichita State, No. 19 Valparaiso, No. 21 McKendree, and No. 25 Niagara. Bryant, Central Missouri, Lewis, Mercyhurst, Morgan State, Roberts Wesleyan, Walsh, and Wright State complete the remaining eight teams competing. 

The Cornhuskers will be led by returning members: 2024 All-Americans Jillian Martin, Kayla Verstraete and Brenna Hartzler, as well as other returning veterans and new faces. 

The first ball will be thrown Friday morning at 8:35 a.m. (CT) with five sets of five-game Baker matches. The tournament will continue with five traditional matches Saturday morning, beginning at 8:25 a.m. (CT). The combined results from Friday and Saturday will determine seeding for Sunday’s bracket-play championship tournament. Each team will play an additional three rounds of five-game Baker matches, followed by a final best-of-seven Baker match beginning at 8:25 a.m. (CT).

Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram (@huskerbowling) and Facebook. 

MOTIV Penguin Classic Teams Competing
No. 2 Arkansas State
No. 3 Youngstown State
No. 5 Nebraska 
No. 10 Duquesne 
No. 17 Wichita State 
No. 19 Valparaiso
No. 21 McKendree 
No. 25 Niagara
Bryant 
Central Missouri 
Lewis 
Mercyhurst
Morgan State 
Roberts Wesleyan 
Walsh
Wright State  

MOTIV Penguin Classic Tournament Champions:
2019: Youngstown State
2021: Arkansas State 
2022: Nebraska 
2023: Arkansas State