Live NCAA Bowling webcast Friday

by Barca Blog (Photo by Ben Solomon)

The Commodores will enter Friday's NCAA double-elimination championship bracket as the No. 3 seed in a field of eight.

You can watch the action all day on NCAA.com starting with Vanderbilt's opening match vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore at 8:30 a.m. CT. Click Here

The final two teams will play in the championship match Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

For tournament updates, visit VUcommodores.com.

Bowling for a championship

by Barca Blog

The qualifying rounds for the 2010 NCAA Bowling Championship start today at the Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes in New Jersey.

Thursday's action just determines the seeding for the eight finalists for the double-elimination championship bracket, which starts Friday morning. The national champion will be crowned during ESPN2's telecast Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Rocket is with the Commodores in Jersey and grabbed some snapshots during Tuesday's travel day and Wednesday's awards banquet and practice round. View Photo Gallery

You can keep up with the tournament results on VUcommodores.com as well as senior Ashley Belden's diary from the road.

The NCAA will provide Twitter updates @2010NCAAbowling.

All I know is that there's gonna be a showdown.

Fox 17 video on VU bowlers

by Barca Blog

Fresh off its selection into the upcoming NCAA Championship, Vanderbilt's bowling team was featured on Fox 17's news broadcast last night.

In the segment, head coach John Williamson talked about how the tournament selection process has grown from an email announcement to a live online show over the past seven years.

Also, senior captain Josie Earnest, who led the Commodores to a national title in her freshman year,  said she's eager to experience that special moment once again.

Click Here to watch the entire video at Fox17.com.

The NCAA Championship will be held April 8-10 in New Jersey.

Video: Bowling Selection Show

by Barca Blog

The NCAA announced the eight teams selected for the 2010 Bowling Championship during a live broadcast on NCAA.com earlier today.

No suspense for the No. 2 ranked Commodores, who were a lock for the field once again. Make that five straight appearances in the program's sixth year of existence.

Vanderbilt was one of two teams featured on the selection show, along with host New Jersey City.  You can watch the 15 minute program which includes a live reaction from the 'Dores plus comments from head coach John Williamson at the 8:20 mark.

Also, check out VUcommodores' official press release for more information on the tournament.

The NCAA Championship will be held April 8-10.

Official NCAA Field:
Arkansas State University
University of Central Missouri
Delaware State University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
New Jersey City University
Vanderbilt University

Know Your Commodore - Josie Earnest

Who knows women's bowling senior Josie Earnest better... her sister Jessica or roommate Ashley Belden? Find out in the latest Know Your Commodore segment on VUcommodores.com.

Click here to watch previous episodes

October Student-Athletes of the Month

by Barca Blog - Congratulations to Ashley Belden (Women's Bowling) and Vijay Paul (Men's Tennis) for being named Vanderbilt's Student-Athletes of the Month for October.

They were chosen on the basis of the all-around student-athlete... effort and excellence in academics, leadership, integrity, dedication to team, campus involvement, community service and the ability to serve as role models for current and future Vanderbilt students and student-athletes.

Click here to read Q&A's with the two honorees.

Bowlers eliminated from NCAA tourney

by Barca Blog - Central Missouri knocked Vanderbilt out of the 2009 NCAA Bowling Championship by sweeping the Commodores, 4-0, Friday afternoon in Canton, Mich.

Best wishes to seniors Karen Grygiel, Tara Kane, Michelle Peloquin and Kaitlin Reynolds. These 'Dores helped build the program into the power it is today and played key roles on Vanderbilt's first ever NCAA championship team in 2007.

Check vucommodores for a complete recap later today.

NCAA Bowling Update

by Barca Blog - The fourth-seeded Commodores have their backs against the wall in the double-elimination bracket of the 2009 NCAA Bowling Championship in Canton, Mich. Vanderbilt was on the brink of elimination after losing their opening round game to Fairleigh Dickinson this morning, but responded with a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over Arkansas State.

The 'Dores still have their work cut out for them. First, they face No. 6 seed Central Missouri at 2:30 p.m. CT. The winner will survive and advance to the semifinals, but will have to defeat No. 5 seed Fairleigh Dickinson twice to reach the finals.

Here's a bracket with times (Eastern) for upcoming best-of-seven baker games scheduled for Friday afternoon and Saturday. Fans can follow the action via webcast and live stats, plus there's a recap of the action here.

NCAA Bowling Championship In Progress

by Barca Blog - Yesterday's opening day of the 2009 NCAA Bowling Championship was for seeding purposes only... Everything will be on the line Friday and Saturday as eight teams begin the double-elimination bracket in Canton, Mich.

Vanderbilt will enter today's action as the No. 4 seed. All remaining games will be played in the Baker format, which pits teams head-to-head in a best-of-seven series. (Remember, this is a double-elimination tournament!)

Follow Friday's action throughout the day to see if the Commodores keep their title dreams alive.
Friday's Live Webcast
VUcommodores' Updates
Live Stats
Thursday's Results
View Bracket

The championship game will be televised live on Saturday by ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN360.com Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.

NCAA Bowling Championship Underway

by Barca Blog - Vanderbilt's top-ranked women's bowling team highlighted Wednesday night's pre-tournament banquet of the 2009 NCAA Bowling Championship. Josie Earnest (on left) made history by becoming the first female bowler to win the Player of the Year award twice. Brittni Hamilton (center) and Michelle Peloquin (right) were also honored as First Team All-Americans.

Even with all the accolades, this team is "locked in" on the bigger prize... bringing home another national title to West End.

"I don't want to think about this award until after the tournament," Earnest said. "Brittni has a motto of 1 shot, 1 frame, 1 game and that serves us well. There will be time later to reflect of anything individual."

All eight teams will compete on Thursday for seeding purposes only, which will be based on total pinfall. The double-elimination bracket starts Friday and concludes Saturday night when the 2009 champion is crowned.

Follow Thursday's Qualifying Round

More Bowling Links:
VUcommodores' Tournament Preview
Bowling Trio Honored Wednesday
The City Paper: Josie Earnest Feature
Tennessean: Bowlers seek second national title

Bowlers make NCAAs - Photo 2

by Barca Blog - Here's one more pic.... the team posed for a quick photo after the announcement. Local television and print media in attendance included Fox 17 News, WSMV Channel 4, and The City Paper.

One other tidbit -- Vanderbilt's Associate Director of Athletics Brian Reese, who serves as the Chairman of the NCAA Bowling Committee, was interviewed on the selection show.

Bowlers make NCAAs - Photo 1

by Barca Blog - It's official... the top-ranked women's bowling team is one of eight teams chosen for the 2009 NCAA Championships scheduled for April 9-11 in Detroit, Mich.

“We’re excited,” said senior Karen Grygiel, an NCAA Tournament veteran. “It is always a great experience to compete against the best of the best and we are looking forward to it.”

The team gathered in McGugin with staff and fans to watch the selection show, which was webcast online for the first time ever. Click here to read more.

Watch NCAA Bowling Selection Show

by Barca Blog - Find out which teams will make the 2009 NCAA Women's Bowling Championships by watching a live webcast of the official selection show today at 4 p.m. CT.

Winners of a record five tournaments during the regular season, the No. 1 Commodores should be a lock to make their fourth consecutive NCAA Championship. Vanderbilt fell just short in the postseason last year, losing 4-3 in the semifinals to eventual champion Maryland-Eastern Shore. VU did win the first NCAA team title in school history in 2007.

The 2009 tournament will be held April 9-11 in Detroit, Mich.