Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women's Bowling team has been voted the number one team in the nation according to the latest National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) poll. The Lady Hawks received 16 out of a possible 25 first place votes in the December poll and 704 total points.
Since the last poll, UMES claimed their first ever Hawk Classic title, an event they host each year in Millsboro, Del. that features 20 teams. The 2010 version included 13 of the country's top 16 teams and the Hawks overcame a rough opening day to dominate the field on days two and three and in the process set school records for team game scores. The Hawks also took home a second place trophy at the New Jersey Jamboree in their first tournament of the season.
UMES stands at 19-1 in MEAC play and holds a six game lead of rival Delaware State. UMES is 41-7 overall and is tied for the most wins among ranked teams with No. 7 Kutztown and No. 10 Adelphi.
It didn't take long this time to get back to No. 1. UMES was ranked first in the March 2010 poll and there have been just two polls since that selection. The Hawks earned their first number one ranking in October of 2008, the first ever by a UMES team. This is their third time sitting atop the polls.
Fairleigh Dickinson, who won the Jamboree title over UMES to start the year is ranked second just 42 points behind the Hawks with 666. Nebraska is third and received five first place votes. They trail UMES by 65 points with 643. The University of Central Missouri, who the Hawks beat to win the Hawk Classic is fourth and newcomer Sam Houston State, a first year program, earns their first ever ranking at fifth.
Arkansas State is sixth, Sacred Heart is eighth and New Jersey City is ninth to complete the top ten. Norfolk State is the next highest ranked MEAC school at 16th while Delaware State, who dropped ten spots since the last poll, is 17th. Florida A&M is 18th.
UMES will take its No.1 ranking into the Mid-Winter Classic, January 14-16 in Little Rock, Ark.
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