UMES tops National Tenpins Coaches Association poll

FORT LEE, N.J. - After an eventful fall semester, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore of Princess Anne, Md., was ranked as the No. 1 NCAA women's bowling program in the country by the National Tenpins Coaches Association in its December national poll. UMES received 16 out of a possible 25 first place votes.

Highlighting their successful first half was the Hawks' championship-match victory over the University of Central Missouri to win the 20-team Hawk Classic in Millsboro, Dele. UMES (41-7) also ended in second place at the 18-team Jersey Jamboree in Howell, N.J., and owns a commanding six-game lead in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division after 20 matches.

Ranked second was Fairleigh Dickinson University of Teaneck, N.J., the 2010 NCAA national champions. The Knights (40-9), who collected four first place votes, won the Jersey Jamboree by defeating UMES in the title match and then finished in second at the 22-team Jeanette Lee Invitational in Midlothian, Va. After nine matches, Fairleigh Dickinson sits in a first-place tie in the North East Conference with three other schools.

The University of Nebraska of Lincoln, Neb., the third ranked team, garnered five first-place votes. The Huskers (19-3) were crowned champions in Merrillville, Ind., when they bested six opponents at the Valparaiso Crusader Classic. They later won another tournament title in Jackson, Miss., when they topped eight opponents at the Capital City Classic, hosted by Jackson State.

In fourth place was the University of Central Missouri of Warrensburg, Mo. The Jennies (26-14) closed out the fall semester by defeating FDU in the championship match of the Jeanette Lee Invitational. Earlier in the semester, UCM finished in second place at the UMES Hawks Classic and ended in third place at the 10-team Greater Ozark Invitational in Springfield, Mo.

Sam Houston State University of Huntsville, Texas, a program in its first year of NCAA participation, was ranked as the No. 5 team in the nation. The Bearkats (28-13) won the silver medal at the Greater Ozark Invitational and bronze medals at the Jersey Jamboree and the Hawk Classic, respectively.

Leading the remaining teams in the top 10 was Arkansas State University of Jonesboro, Ark, the sixth ranked squad. Ranked seventh was Kutztown University of Kutztown, Pa; eighth was Sacred Heart University of Fairfield, Conn.; ninth was New Jersey City University of Jersey City, N.J.; and 10th ranked Adelphi University of Garden City, N.Y., caps the list.

1. Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Md. (41-7) (16)
2. Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, N.J. (40-9) (4)
3. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. (19-3) (5)
4. University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo. (26-14)
5. Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas (28-13)
6. Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Ark. (26-10)
7. Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pa. (41-13)
8. Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Conn. (35-14)
9. New Jersey City University, Jersey City, N.J. (36-13)
10. Adelphi University, Garden City, N.Y. (41-18)
11. St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. (33-16)
12. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. (13-17)
13. Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind. (27-20)
14. Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, Ala. (11-5)
15. Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, Texas (15-13)
16. Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Va. (28-15)
17. Delaware State University, Dover, Dele. (24-22)
18. Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla. (21-12)
19. Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn. (19-18)
20. Louisiana Tech, Ruston, La. (27-17)

Also receiving points:
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, Wis.; Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, N.J.; Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas; State University of New York Institute of Technology, Utica, N.Y.; St. Francis University, Loretto, Pa.

Point system: NTCA voters rank the top 20 teams on their ballot. Each position has a designated point value, ranging from 32 points for first place and one point for twentieth place. To be ranked teams need to equal or surpass the minimum vote criteria, which is one vote for every eight ballots cast. In this poll, three votes were necessary for consideration. The actual ranking position is determined by using the adjusted point standings, which lists in priority order the total points a school has accumulated after the highest and lowest votes are dropped.

The specific point values follow: 1st place = 32 points, 2nd = 29, 3rd = 27, 4th = 25, 5th = 23, 6th = 21, 7th = 19, 8th = 17, 9th = 15, 10th = 13, 11th = 11, 12th = 9, 13th = 8, 14th = 7, 15th = 6, 16th = 5, 17th = 4, 18th = 3, 19th = 2, 20th = 1.