HACKENSACK, N.J.-The latest National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) poll was just released and to no surprise the 2012 NCAA Women's Bowling Champions from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) were ranked Number One, amassing 593 points and 19 first place votes.
The ranking gives UMES a 15th overall ranking in the Capital One Cup official winter standings, based on the coaches poll voting.
The team, previously ranked eighth, jumped up the standings after winning the title. It was their second straight NCAA Championship and third in the last five years. They earned all but two of the first-place votes cast. Those surprisingly went to Nebraska, whom the Hawks eliminated in the semi-finals, 4-1. The Huskers earned 482 points to finish fourth in the poll.
Fairleigh Dickinson, the team UMES topped 4-2 in the finals, finished second with 549 points. They were No. 1 all season long until the final poll where they were edged out by Arkansas State. The Red Wolves were eliminated in the third round and finished fifth with 449 points.
Vanderbilt, the team FDU eliminated 4-3 to get to the finals, was voted third with 503 points.
Valparaiso, who also went out in the third round was voted sixth, Central Missouri and Sacred Heart were seventh and eighth. Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin rounded out the top ten.
MEAC Champion Norfolk State finished 11th, Delaware State was 14th and Bethune-Cookman were 18th in the final poll. Morgan State received votes to round out all the conference schools.