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Maryland-Eastern Shore, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference made NCAA bowling history Saturday night as it captured its first NCAA Women’s Bowling title since the sport’s NCAA sanction in 2004. It was the first NCAA title for the institution, as well as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Maryland-Eastern Shore’s Head Coach Sharon Brummell also became the first woman head coach to lead her team to a title.

“Somebody told me I was the first woman to win a championship,” Brummell said. “We’ve been to all five championships and finally a woman wins. It’s a wonderful feeling, it really is.”

The Hawks fought to be in the championship, as they were down three games to Vanderbilt in this afternoon’s elimination match. Momentum shifted the Hawk’s way and Maryland-Eastern Shore defeated Vanderbilt to contend for the championship.

“I’m speechless,” Brummell said. “After last year I felt that we were contending for the championship. Today, these young ladies fought. When were bowling against Vanderbilt earlier today and we were down three games, it got a little scary. Then Jessica Worsley decides to pick up a 2-10 split and it just seemed to change the whole momentum of the game and they came out fighting today when we were starting out in the championship.”

“I guess we all wanted to win,” Brummell said. “Jessica’s been here the whole four years. She’s gone to four national championships and on her way out she wanted to go out as a champion and she really went out as a champion.”

Maryland-Eastern Shore anchor Jessica Worsley stepped up for the Hawks in both matches today and emerged as the Most Valuable Bowler for the 2008 National Championship.

“It was just a dream even making the finals last year and finishing second,” Worsley said. “Most people can’t even said they’ve done that in their career. Just going out on top and finishing first my senior year, words can’t describe how great that feels. I couldn’t have asked for a better coaching staff or team to finish my career with and winning the national championship was just the icing on the cake.”

Maryland-Eastern Shore claimed the title with a 4-2 win over Arkansas State. The Hawks took an early lead in the first game, as Arkansas State had two open frames to start the game. However, Arkansas State came on strong during the fourth frame, as sophomore Maggie Adams started a series of six strikes for the Indians. Maryland-Eastern Shore was unable to overcome the deficit and fell, 179-223, to Arkansas State in the first game.

Maryland-Eastern Shore’s come back was quick in the second game as they outshot the Indians, 200-181. The Hawks recorded seven spares and three strikes, while Arkansas State held two open frames to begin the game. The teams were tied at 1-1 heading into the third game.
Despite two open frames to start game three, Arkansas State’s anchor Marissa Martinek helped the Indians to victory with back-to-back strikes in the tenth frame. Arkansas State defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore, 182-180.

Maryland-Eastern Shore answered back with a 217-164 win over Arkansas State in the fourth game.  UMES was on fire with six strikes and five spares in the game, which brought them to a 2-2 draw with Arkansas State.

The Hawks kept rolling to a 3-2 lead over Arkansas State in the fifth game. Two strikes in both the eighth and ninth frames gave the Hawks a strong 175-152 win over the Indians.

With momentum on its side, Maryland-Eastern Shore capped the night with a 174-170 victory over Arkansas State to capture the 2008 Women’s Bowling Championship title.

Following the awards ceremony, five championship bowlers were recognized with all-tournament team honors. Brittany Garcia (Vanderbilt), Vicki Spratford (New Jersey City), Maggie Adams (Arkansas State), Jessica Worsley (Maryland-Eastern Shore) and Maria Rodriguez (Maryland-Eastern Shore) were each recognized, while Worlsey claimed the Most Valuable Bowler.

A tape-delay of the championship game will be broadcast on ESPN 2 at 6 p.m. Central on Monday, April 14.

Game-by-Game Results:

Arkansas State University                         Maryland-Eastern Shore

223                                                                                                            179

181                                                                                                            200

182                                                                                                            180

164                                                                                                            217