UAB Dominates at Railsplitter Classic

Friday, February 5

Harrogate, Tenn.

TBA

UAB

Railsplitter Classic

UAB Dominates at Railsplitter Classic

2/8/2021 12:26:00 PM | Women's Bowling

BIRMINGHAM -The UAB bowling team went undefeated in its first day of play en route to picking up its first tournament win of the season at the 2021 Railsplitter Classic.

"This weekend was one of the best moments in my coaching career on the lanes. We saw Elise London, Jamie Krasnigor, and Katie Hurley step up and have their career best days on Saturday," head coach Michelle Crews said. "Samantha gave us another incredible day as we have come to expect from her. We had an undefeated day on Friday which is a format that we have typically struggled with in the past. Our chemistry was the strongest that it's been in quite some time and our biggest improvement from the Louisiana Tech Invite in the fall."

The Blazers started the competition on Friday morning with five baker matches. UAB had a hot start. UAB started the day with a 925-754 win against Mercyhurst. UAB won the rest of its matches against No. 19 Valparaiso twice (884-852) (934-812), Spalding (899-752), No. 11 Lincoln Memorial (943-871) to head into day two undefeated.

UAB came out with the same energy on day two with a win over Belmont Abbey (917-817) to start traditional match play. The Blazers lost to Tusculum in the next match (988-918) but finish the next two matches with wins against Kentucky Wesleyan (1035-922), Tusculum (1057-982) in a rematch. The Blazers fell to Lincoln Memorial (1043-914) to end day two of competition with an 8-2 record.

On Sunday, UAB went undefeated again in three best of seven baker matches to Lincoln Memorial (4-2), Spalding (4.5-2.5), and defeated Lincoln Memorial (4-3) again in the championship round to win the Railsplitter Classic.

"I think after our performance in the fall, other teams may have felt we were going through a rebuilding year and that's why we dropped out of the top 25. However, I think this weekend showed that we belong in the top 25 and we will be in contention for post season play. I tell the girls all the time it's not how you start but it is how you finish. They definitely responded to a disappointing event in the Fall and are ready to step up their games this spring."

Samantha Johnson led the way with a total pinfall of 1,172 to finish in third place. Elise London (1,054), Jamie Krasnigor (1,009) and Katie Hurley (960) placed fifth, eighth and 12th, respectively, to finish the Blazers in the top 25 individually. Johnson and London were both named to the 2021 Railsplitter Classic All-Tournament Team.

The UAB bowling team will be back in action on Feb. 19 for MEAC No. 2 in Greensboro, N.C.

For more information on the UAB bowling team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Bowl), Instagram (@UAB_Bowl), or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABBowling2011).