No. 5 Huskers Top Field on Day One of Destination Florida

Orlando, Fla. - The fifth-ranked Nebraska Bowling team went 4-1 on the first day of the Destination Florida tournament, knocking down 5,321 pins for a 212.8 average to end the day in first place.

The Huskers began the tournament pitted against Alabama State in the first of the day's five baker matches. Starting for the Big Red was Desiree Buchert, Kayla Starr, Brenna Hartzler, Karina Capron and Haley Swindle. NU took the first game 172-148, following that up with a 196-189 game two to maintain their lead. The Hornets finally answered in game three, winning 216-194, cutting the Huskers' lead to nine. Nebraska subbed out Buchert for Alejandra Sandoval in game four, who promptly kickstarted a seven-strike run to help the Huskers win 267-160. ASU kept it competitive in game five as they won 223-196, but it wasn't enough as NU claimed its first match of the day, 1,025-936.

Nebraska's next opponent was No. 14 Niagara, who was coming off a 1,073-925 win against No. 17 Tulane. The Big Red wasted no time in establishing a lead, taking game one 246-180. It was a similar story in game two with the Huskers winning 244-210 to broaden their lead. NU's momentum couldn't be stopped in game three as it rode nine-straight strikes to a 268-246 victory. Game four was another great win for the Huskers, who cruised to a 236-178 victory. NU won again in game five, 215-174, to close out a dominant match with a 1,209-958 score line.

The Huskers met No. 9 North Carolina A&T in match three, a team who had just won 1,087-856 against No. 20 UAB. Nebraska took game one 226-201 with nine total strikes, followed by an explosive 279-202 game where the Huskers bowled a nine-bagger up to the tenth frame. The Aggies made game three close, but the Big Red held on to win 238-237 and maintain their lead. Open frame off splits hampered the Huskers in game four, as NCA&T won their first game of the match 183-180. The Aggies also took game five 229-174, but the Huskers' lead was enough to win the match 1,097-1,052.

Match four had Nebraska up against No. 6 Youngstown State, 2-1 on the day and coming off a 1,011-919 victory against Tulane. Tricky lane conditions led to several errors from both teams early on, with Youngstown State coming out on top 193-170 in game one. The Penguins were hamstrung by errors in game two, allowing the Huskers to claim a slim 172-163 victory. YSU answered back in force in game three, winning 247-217. Splits and errors from the Big Red allowed Youngstown State to increase their lead with a 171-158 win. Needing something to give, the Huskers swapped out Starr for Buchert to start game five. The Penguins didn't give NU a chance to get back in the game, striking eight times to a 245-204 victory and handing Nebraska its first loss of the tournament, 1,019-921.

The Huskers' final opponent of the day was Southern University, who was 2-2 and victorious in their previous match against UAB, 917-914. The Big Red shook off the loss immediately, shooting a dominant 223-136 in game one. The Huskers took game two as well 216-205, before both teams shot an error-filled game three that resulted in the Jaguars coming out on top, 182-159. Nebraska regained its footing in game four, trouncing Southern 245-141. The Huskers wrapped up with a 226-154 game five to win the match 1,069-818, ending the day at 4-1.

Nebraska will be back in action tomorrow, Oct. 31 at 8:25 a.m. CT for their first match of the traditional round against No. 11 Wright State.

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