Alabama State claims top seed at 2017 SWAC Championship

ARLINGTON, Texas - Alabama State claimed the top seed for match play at the 2017 Southwestern Athletic Conference Women's Bowling Championship, leading the six-team field after Friday's five games of qualifying at the International Training and Research Center.

The Lady Hornets finished qualifying with a 4,715 pinfall total to earn the No. 1 seed and an opening-round bye for Saturday's double-elimination match play. Texas Southern finished with a 4,675 total to garner the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. Defending champion Jackson State qualified third with 4,596 followed by Prairie View A&M (4,502), Southern (4,237) and Grambling State (3,992).

Haley Young of Alabama State led all individuals Friday with a 1,055 total (a 211 average). SWAC Bowler of the Year Denisyha Waller of Texas Southern (1,035) and Grambling State's Laurencia Harmon (989) were second and third, respectively, followed by Jackson State's Violet Kirk (975) and Texas Southern's Kimari Jackson (972).

Saturday's match play will be live streamed on BOWL.com's BowlTV starting at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, and Sunday's finals will be taped for broadcast on ESPNU, scheduled to air on April 2 at 10:30 p.m. Eastern and April 3 at 9 p.m. Eastern. Friday's qualifying round can be watched here.

Go to SWAC.org for complete tournament information, including the bracket, results, photos and more.