Women's Bowling | 10/30/2026 9:54:00 PM

ORLANDO, Fla. – The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's bowling team headed south for the second time this season, and again found early success.

On the first day of the Colonial Classic in Louisiana, which opened the 2026-27 season, the Aggies went 5-0. They are seventh after going 4-1 on Friday in the Baker format portion of the Destination Florida tournament, hosted by Sacred Heart University at Boardwalk Bowl. A&T recorded 5,129 total pinfall, averaging 205.2 over 25 games.

The fifth-ranked team in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Top-25 poll, the Nebraska Cornhuskers lead the tournament with 5,321 total pinfall. Top-ranked Jacksonville State (5,319) is second, followed by third-ranked Wichita State (5,309). A&T, the ninth-ranked team in the country, opened the morning against Emmanuel.

A&T's opening lineup included sophomore leadoff bowler Charisse Graham, followed by Alexa Escamilla, senior Savannah Burgin, and junior Victorya White in the two, three, and four positions. A&T head coach Kim Terrell-Kearney placed senior Payton Hartgrove in the anchor spot. The Aggies out-pinned Emmanuel in all five games, taking command in Game 3 with a 210-157 edge.

The Aggies defeated Emmanuel 1,038-912 before facing fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member and 20^th-ranked UAB. They kept the same lineup and again out-pinned their opponent in all five games, defeating the Blazers 1,087-856. That win led to a NTCA top-10 matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

It was everything a top-10 matchup should be. A&T kept its lineup intact against the Cornhuskers. The Cornhuskers took an early advantage, out-pinning A&T 505-403 over the first two games. Nebraska added slightly to its lead with a 238-237 showing in Game 3 before the Aggies started to rally. A&T out-pinned the Cornhuskers 183-180 in Game 4 before trying to roar back in Game 5. But A&T's 229-174 advantage in the fifth game wasn't enough, as the Cornhuskers defeated A&T 1,097-1,052.

Despite the loss to Nebraska, the Aggies ended the day strong with a win over Saint Anselm College. Using the same lineup for the fourth straight match, they out-pinned Saint Anselm 586-499 over the first three games. The Hawks tried to stage a comeback, out-pinning A&T by 36 in Game 4, but the Aggies held steady in Game 5 to win 940-884. After beating the Hawks, the Aggies had another top-10 matchup awaiting them.

National power and second-ranked Vanderbilt faced the Aggies in their final matchup on Friday. A&T replaced Graham with junior Jasmine Hall at leadoff. The two powerhouse programs were within nine pins of each other after the first two games, with the Aggies taking the early lead. A&T extended its lead by out-pinning the Commodores by 27 in Game 3. Vanderbilt cut into A&T's lead by eight pins in Game 4 before A&T sealed a 1,012-976 win over the Commodores with a solid Game 5 showing.

The Aggies will start traditional team play on Saturday against 17^th-ranked Tulane.