CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — The weekend at the Brunswick Zone Chesterfield Lanes keeps getting better for the Lincoln Memorial University women's bowling team.
 
After day two Saturday, where the Lady Railsplitters averaged 204.48, LMU sits 30 pins from fourth place with one traditional game to go at the Saints Invite in Chesterfield, Mo.  LMU averaged a blistering 211.26 in its opening three matches, which included a 1065-761 win over North Central College in match No. 1 and a 1041-880 win over Kentucky Wesleyan. 
 
In match No. 2, the No. 15-ranked Lady Railsplitters nearly pulled off a major upset over No. 2-ranked Nebraska, losing 1063-1065 in a match that literally went down to the final shot.  Following match No. 3, LMU jumped to third place before eventually falling to fifth place for the weekend with one day to go. The Lady Railsplitters ended the day with a 981-1069 loss to No. 2 McKendree and a win over Lincoln University (MO) 962-886.
 
"Today was so much fun for the team," LMU Director of Bowling and Women's Head Coach Joseph Slowinski said.  "With outstanding performances in three straight matches to open the day, it will give us a lot of confidence moving forward."
 
Four Lady Railsplitters sit in the top-20 individually Saturday with one more traditional game to be bowled to open Sunday, which will determine All-Tournament team honors.  Juniors Marisol Dodson and Mary-Kate Kersting both had their finest individual performances in a Railsplitter jersey. 
 
Dodson, who sits in sixth overall, led LMU with a 220 average on a 1,101 score for five games (211, 263, 245, 182, 200). The junior had 35 strikes (63 percent), 21 doubles (61 percent) and filled 85 percent of her frames bowled. 
 
Kersting, who is in 10th place individually, averaged a 211.2 shooting 1,056 for five games (202, 172, 223, 236, 223).  The junior had 29 strikes (52 percent) and filled 86 percent of her frames. 

"This is the best performances for both Marisol and Mary-Kate," Slowinski said.  "As veterans in our program, it makes it extra special and I am so proud of how far they have come in three seasons.  I believe strongly that consistent high-level contributions from these two are essential for us to reach our best this season.  So, it is amazing to see both coming-up big in both tournaments in 2019." 
 
Sophomore Justine Brookover is in 14th place and shot 1,034 for five games (244, 215, 188, 194, 193) hitting the pocket 88 percent (48 of 54), striking 27 times (50 percent) and filling 86 percent of her frames. Sophomore Christine Hansen is next in 20th place behind her 202 average (196, 215, 194, 204, 204) for the day.
 
LMU opens Sunday versus Drury for the final traditional game. The total pins from Friday, Saturday and Sunday's traditional game will determine bracket play.  The top four will have an opportunity to win the title as the No. 1 seed bowls the fourth seed and the No. 2 seed bowls the third seed in a best-of-7 baker match. Five through eight will be in a seeded bracket and nine through 12 will be in a seeded bracket to wrap up a competitive weekend.
 
"I want the team to step up [Sunday] morning and be their best," Slowinski said. "If we focus on what we can control and make excellent shots, we can earn the opportunity to win a title [Sunday].  We won our first title a year ago this weekend.  So, to step-up again to earn an opportunity would be an outstanding accomplishment."