Delaware State will be the seventh seed when double-elimination bracket play begins Friday in the 2010 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes.

The Hornets will face No. 2 seed Arkansas State in a best-of-seven Baker format match in the opening round of bracket play on Friday at 9:30 a.m.

Delaware State posted a 2-5 record in regular team games to finish seventh among the eight tournament teams in today's qualifying round matches. The Hornets struggled during the morning session, falling to Arkansas State, New Jersey City, Maryland-Eastern Shore and Vanderbilt. DSU won two of three matches in the afternoon session, defeating Central Missouri and Fairleigh Dickinson before closing out the day with a loss to Nebraska.

"We certainly bowled better in the afternoon, although I was pleased with our overall effort," said Delaware State first-year head coach Ricki Williams-Ellison. "Our morning scores weren't too bad; we just ran into some hot teams during the early session. Our main objectives were to get comfortable with the lanes and the environment. I like our chances in the Baker format as we begin bracket play tomorrow."

Senior Kalyn Washburn was Delaware State's top performer during today's regular team play. Washburn averaged 197.8 (1385 total pinfall) in seven matches, including a team-high 254. She also rolled three other games of 200-or-better. Angela Reynolds averaged 192.3 (1346 total pinfall) in seven matches. She had a high game of 220 in two matches.

The other first-round match-ups will feature No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 8 Central Missouri; No. 5 Fairleigh Dickinson vs. No. 4 New Jersey City; and No. 3 Vanderbilt vs. No. 6 Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Delaware State is appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. The Hornets were the seventh seed after the qualifying round in the 2009 tournament. DSU won its first two matches before falling to eventual champ Nebraska in the semifinals last year.

This year's NCAA Tournament championship match is set for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The match will be televised live on ESPNU and replayed on ESPN on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Delaware State will provide Twitter updates during bracket play competition on Friday.