1/9/2008 5:00:00 AM MEAC Media Relations

DELAWARE STATE BOWLING EARNS SECOND STRAIGHT TOP 10 RANKING

The Delaware State bowling team has collected its second consecutive Top 10 ranking in the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) poll. The Hornets are ranked 10th in the poll of Top 20 teams), a drop of two places from the previous poll (Nov. 30). Delaware State’s #8 ranking in the Nov. 30 poll was its highest ever. Prior to this season, the Hornets’ best showing was #15 in the February 2006 poll.

This is the third of six scheduled national polls for the 2007-08 season.

Delaware State, under first-year head coach Kimberly Terrell, is 40-15 in NCAA head-to-head matches entering this weekend’s MEAC North competition in Hampton, VA.

The Hornets have 11 wins against current Top 20 teams this season, including three vs. two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion and 2007 national runner-up (#3) Maryland-Eastern Shore. DSU has also posted wins over (#6) New Jersey City and (#8) Sacred Heart.

Nebraska has moved into first place in the latest poll. The Cornhuskers (29-7) replaced defending national champion Vanderbilt in the top spot. Nebraska received 12 of 19 first place votes. Vanderbilt (33-9) is second in the poll. The Commodores collected the remaining seven first place votes.

Maryland-Eastern Shore (51-12), Central Missouri (33-8) and Fairleigh Dickinson (43-17) round out the top five.

Delaware State and UMES are the only Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) teams in the Top 20. The Hornets and Hawks are tied for first in the current MEAC North standings at 16-2. The teams will battle again during this weekend’s division competition.

MEAC members Morgan State, Howard, Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T and Hampton received votes, but not enough to crack the Top 20.

Freshman Angela Reynolds has been the most consistent bowler for the Hornets this season, leading the team with a 192.5 average. She has two games of 246 this season, ninth best among MEAC competitors. Junior Samantha Noviscky is second on the team with a 184.2 average. She has a high game of 256, third best in the MEAC this season.