DALLAS – Conference USA will fill all four slots in the National Collegiate Bowling Championships following dominant performances from the regional finals. Jacksonville State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas State and Wichita State will all be advancing to the four-team final.
At the Lansing Regional, Jacksonville State went undefeated to secure their spot. The Gamecocks opened the first round on Friday with a sweep over Carroll (WI) to advance to the winner’s bracket match against North Carolina A&T. There, they were able to perform another sweep, beating the Aggies and advancing to Saturday’s round three.
The Gamecocks faced N.C. A&T again in Saturday afternoon’s final. They beat the Aggies 2-0 for a second time to advance.
Youngstown State was unable to find the same success in Lansing. The Penguins lost 0-2 to N.C. A&T in round one, sending them to match four where they took on Jax State’s prior opponent, Carroll. The defending champions came back stronger, beating the Pioneers 2-0 and advancing to match five Saturday morning where they would face a rematch with the Aggies. The Penguins were unable to perform the upset to advance in the tournament, falling 0-2.
Vanderbilt won the Rochester Regional to advance to Cleveland. The Commodores opened regionals with a 2-0 win over Dominican (NY) Friday morning, sending them to match three where they were faced with CUSA foe Sam Houston. The Bearkats had beaten Maryville 2-1 to advance to the winner’s match. Vanderbilt came out on top, beating Sam Houston 2-0 to move on to Saturday’s regional final.
With the loss, the Bearkats were sent to a rematch with Maryville in Saturday morning’s match five. They were unable to complete the sweep, falling 1-2 to the Saints to end their tournament run.
Vanderbilt took on Maryville in the final, defeating the Saints 2-1 to punch their ticket to the championships.
The Pittsburgh Regional was dominated by Arkansas State as the Red Wolves swept their way to the final. They opened the first round with a 2-0 win over Belmont Abbey before moving on to match three where they would take on Nebraska. The Huskers made their way to the winner’s match with a 2-1 victory over Duquesne but were unable to stop the moment from Arkansas State. The loss sent the Huskers to match five on Saturday morning where they were met again by Duquesne. This time, Nebraska swept the Dukes and advanced to the finals for a rematch against Arkansas State. In the final, the Red Wolves secured their ticket to Parma Heights with a 2-1 victory over the Huskers.
LA Tech and Wichita State played their way to the regional finals in Arlington. The Bulldogs soared their way to the final, beating Bryant 2-1 and sweeping Newman in Friday’s matches. Wichita State did not have as easy of a journey after falling 1-2 in their opening match against Newman. The loss sent them to match four where they would play Bryant. The Shockers defeated Bryant 2-0, advancing to a Saturday morning rematch against Newman. Wichita State was able to battle back, beating the Jets 2-1 to secure a spot in the final. The Shockers maintained their momentum into the final, forcing the if-necessary match with a 2-1 win. In the tiebreaker best-of-seven, the Shockers went 4-0 to advance to the championships and send LA Tech home.
Jax State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas State and Wichita State will head to Parma Heights, Ohio for the four-team championship final on April 10-11. The championship will be played in a best-of-seven Baker match format and can be streamed on NCAA.com.
Lansing Regional
Friday, April 3
- Jacksonville State 2, Carroll (WI) 0
- North Carolina A&T 2, Youngstown State 0
- Jacksonville State 2, North Carolina A&T 0
- Youngstown State 2, Carroll (WI) 1
Saturday, April 4
North Carolina A&T 2, Youngstown State 0
Jacksonville State 2, North Carolina A&T 0
Rochester Regional
Friday, April 3
- Vanderbilt 2, Dominican (NY) 0
- Sam Houston 2, Maryville (MO) 1
- Vanderbilt 2, Sam Houston 1
- Maryville (MO) 2, Dominican (NY) 0
Saturday, April 4
- Maryville (MO) 2, Sam Houston 1
- Vanderbilt 2, Maryville 1
Pittsburgh Regional
Friday, April 3
- Arkansas State 2, Belmont Abbey 0
- Nebraska 2, Duquesne 0
- Arkansas State 2, Nebraska 0
- Duquesne 2, Belmont Abbey 0
Saturday, April 4
- Nebraska 2, Duquesne 0
- Arkansas State 2, Nebraska 1
Arlington Regional
Friday, April 3
- Louisiana Tech 2, Bryant 1
- Newman 2, Wichita State 1
- Louisiana Tech 2, Newman 0
- Wichita State 2, Bryant 0
Saturday, April 4
- Wichita State 2, Newman 1
- Wichita State 2, LA Tech 1