Youngstown, Ohio -- The Youngstown State bowling team received its best end-of-season-ranking in program history by the National Tenpin Coaches Association, which released its final poll of 2023-24 on Thursday.

The Penguins, who finished third at the National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship two weeks ago, were firmly slotted third in the final coaches poll. That paralleled YSU's third-place ranking in the NCAA RPI and its third seed in the national tournament. Youngstown State received 1,155 points, and it was ranked third on all 33 ballots that were counted.

Youngstown State's highest end-of-season ranking previously was fifth in 2021 when it advanced to the Final Four for the first time in program history. The Penguins returned to the Final Four in 2024 and won a match at the final site for the first time to finish third. Youngstown State also finished second at the inaugural Conference USA Championship, and it was the champion of the Lansing Regional.

National Champion Jacksonville State was the unanimous first-place team and received the maximum 1,320 points, and national runner-up Arkansas State was second with 1,221 points. Youngstown State was third with 1,155 points, and it was followed by North Carolina A&T (1,011), Vanderbilt (981), Nebraska (959) and Sam Houston (929), which won the Arlington Regional to advance to the Final Four. Louisiana Tech (869), Maryville (737) and Duquesne (733) rounded out the top 10 in the poll.