Smyrna, Tenn. — For the first time in program history, Youngstown State's bowling team has won one of the most historic events in the sport, the Music City Classic.
The Penguins led after each of the first two days of qualifying, and they completed an incredible weekend at Vanderbilt's tournament by going 3-0 on Sunday to claim the title. The tournament is in its 21st year, and YSU went 12-1 overall and 8-0 against teams ranked in the top 10 of the most recent RPI and National Tenpin Coaches Association Poll to win the team championship.
"It sure feels good to bring home the win," said YSU head coach Doug Kuberski. "Independent of the outcome, I'm proud of our focus and discipline across the three days. The conditions were quite challenging. And these teams are all so good out there, and we know each match is gonna be a battle."
"Through it all, the ladies did a heck of a job executing and staying positive through the ups the downs. We're looking forward to a day or rest and a day of preparation before heading to New Orleans for the Conference USA Championships."
The three-day event was held at the Smyrna Bowling Center as 31 teams converged on the Nashville suburb hoping to earn the coveted six-string guitar trophy.
No. 4 Youngstown State entered the day at the top of the standings and with a 9-1 head-to-head after 10 matches of qualifying, and it dropped to third despite beating No. 6 Arkansas State 922-897 in a traditional match to complete qualifying. But the Penguins' body of work over the first two days gave them plenty of cushion for a top-four seed in a bracket, which is all they needed for a chance at the championship.
In the opening match against No. 10-ranked and second-seeded Maryville, Youngstown State rallied from a 3-2 deficit to beat the Saints in seven games. The Penguins shot 236 and 192 in games two and three to build a 2-1 lead, but Maryville posted back-to-back scores in the 220s to push the Penguins into a corner in the best-of-seven Baker match. Youngstown State tied the match with a 192-174 win in game six, and the Penguins fired a 242, their highest game of the day, to win game seven and advance to the championship match.
In a rematch of the 2024 Music City Classic championship contest, Youngstown State outlasted No. 2 Jacksonville State in a seven-game thriller. The Gamecocks won the first two games to go up 2-0, but Youngstown State strung together three straight wins of 230-157, 205-202 and 216-195 to take a 3-2 lead. Jacksonville State tied the match with a 197-168 win in game six, and the Penguins won game seven 215-197.
Youngstown State fifth-year senior Madyson Marx was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player for her efforts in guiding the Penguins to the team title. She finished ninth individually in traditional play with a six-game total of 1,258. Madison Doseck placed 15th with a 1,227 set, Kirsten Moore tied for 31st (1,176), Jade Cote tied for 41st (1,149), and Ellie Drescher placed 43rd (1,147). That group bowled nearly the entire weekend until Kara Beissel provided a boost over the final five games of the championship match.
Youngstown State will now turn its attention to the postseason, which starts next week with the Conference USA Championships in Harahan, La. YSU's seed and the tournament's bracket will be announced soon.
