Women's Bowling | 3/14/2025 11:43:00 PM

SMYRNA, TENN. – The eighth-ranked collegiate bowling team in the nation continues to play well as postseason time approaches.

Fresh off their United States Bowling Congress (USBC) sectional championship in Allen Park, Mich., last week to qualify for the Intercollegiate Team Championship (ITC) nationals, North Carolina A&T went 5-0 on Friday during the first day of the Music City Classic hosted by Vanderbilt University at the Smyrna Bowling Center.

The Aggies knocked off a few highly-ranked teams from the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll along the way.

"I loved that we had fun today and bowled great," said junior Juliana Sams.

The Aggies had the third-highest total pinfall on Friday during Baker format play. The Aggies knocked down 5,172 pins, averaging 206.9 over 25 games bowled. Fourth-ranked Youngstown State had the highest pin total, 5,282, followed by third-ranked Vanderbilt. Second-ranked Jacksonville State (5,148) and seventh-ranked Sam Houston State University (SHSU) (5,101) were also in the top 5.

A&T's day started with defending national champion, Jax State. The Aggies improved to 3-5 this season against the Gamecocks by defeating them 1,056-1,008. The Aggies faced Marian next, defeating the Knights 1,098-924.

UAB stood in the Aggies way in the third game of Baker competition as the Aggies improved to 3-0 with a 976-894 win over the Blazers. Game 4 saw the Aggies face another traditional power in sixth-ranked Arkansas State. But not even the Red Wolves were enough to slow down A&T, losing to the Aggies 1,016-954.

"Obviously, there were some mistakes made and some uncertainty about where to be and what to look at, but at the end of the day, I was confident at the foul line, and I kept my head on," said freshman Victorya White. "For the team, I hoped I bowled well. I made sure I showed up when I needed to."

The Aggies' final Baker match of the afternoon came against Alabama A&M. A&T defeated the Bulldogs 1,026-916 to complete the 5-0 day. A&T will compete in traditional format on Saturday before closing the tournament in best-of-seven bracket play, played in Baker Format on Sunday.

"Looking into tomorrow, I am excited for us to score well and execute good shots from the beginning," said Sams.