Women’s Bowling notches runner-up finish at NAIA Southeastern Open Sunday

LILBURN, Ga. (February 4, 2024) – The Milligan University women's bowling team notched an impressive second-place team finish at NAIA Southeastern Open Sunday at Lilburn Bowlero.

The tournament format was three team games and 20 baker games. The Buffs finished ahead of No. 2 Pikeville, No. 1 SCAD Savannah and No. 12 Cumberland on Sunday. Milligan totaled 6,272 pins to finish only behind tournament champion Webber International. The tournament marked Milligan's seventh top-five team finish and third runner-up showing of the season.

"The story yesterday was a mixture of everything that go wrong doing so, while today we regrouped and put together a strong day," said head coach Brian Rickert. "Honestly, this day could have been huge if we would have gotten our great shots to carry all 10 down. I always say that bowling is about the process of executing the best shot you can make, but it will always contain some luck with how the pins fall."

Laci MacQuisten took home all-tournament honors with a three game series of 197, 208 and 193 to finish with 598 pins (199.33 average). Allison Robbins joined her in the top-10 with a sixth-place finish of 591 pins (197.0 average) with high games of 224 and 213.

"I was so proud of how these ladies executed today and fought for every last pin," said Rickert. "Laci was locked in on this pattern and really was the anchor today. I knew that every single shot she would give us a chance to start a string or continue a string of strikes."

Emily King and Olivia VanHooser paced Milligan's junior varsity. King was 14th with an average of 185.0 and VanHooser finished 16th with an average of 184.33.

Taylor Davis and Emily Cheesman posted top-25 finishes. Davis checked in a 22nd with 543 pins (181.0 average). Cheesman knocked down 532 pins (177.33 average) to finish 24th.

Milligan's JV finished second of three teams, coming just 70 pins short of Pikeville's top JV.

"So proud of the JV women taking second today," said Rickert. "You can see how far they've come this year and are poised to see some tremendous growth this offseason. Emily King was rock solid today and is poised to make some contributions to the Varsity team as they finish the season."

Milligan heads to Indianapolis for the Tier 1 Columbia 300 Hoosier Classic next weekend.