LINCOLN, Neb. — It was a fun-filled Saturday for the Lincoln Memorial University women's bowling team as it saw significant improvement for a fourth-place finish in the five traditional game format at the Big Red Invitational on day two.
 
No. 15 LMU went on a world-class run, averaging 210.6 for the final three matches when the Lady Railsplitters shot games of 1,042, 1,091 and 1,026 to finish the day.
 
"In match two, our focus waned, and poor execution followed," LMU Director of Bowling and Women's Head Coach Joseph Slowinski said.  "Prior to match three, I challenged the team firmly by highlighting the lack of commitment I had seen in the previous match. After calling them out, they responded like the team I know they are capable of being. 
 
"I am so proud of how they stepped up and demonstrated to all of us what they can do when focused and committed at the highest level."
 
In match three, LMU defeated No. 3 and host Nebraska, 1042-950.  Mary-Kate Kersting bowled a 223, Christine Hansen 219, Justine Brookover 203, Marisol Dodson 200 and Tyra Sanchez added a 197.  Dodson, Kersting and Hansen had six strikes each.
 
In match four, LMU lit-up the lanes with 34 strikes, beating Drury by 191 pins with a huge 1,091 performance.  Dodson led the way with a 279, Brookover 223 and Sanchez had 215.  Dodson contributed 11 strikes, Sanchez had eight and Brookover added seven strikes.  
 
To end the day, LMU added 11 strikes in the 10th frame for the come-from-behind win by 20 pins against No. 13 Wisconsin Whitewater. Brookover bowled a team-high 224 while Christine Hansen and Marisol Dodson each had 216.  Brookover contributed with eight strikes and Hansen had seven more. 
 
Dodson, a junior, led the Lady Railsplitters with an eighth-place individual finish (1,071 for five games, 214.2 average), missing an all-tournament honor by 14 pins.  Hansen finished 20th (993) and Brookover 21st (992), both averaging 198.  Sanchez finished 26th (974 for five games, 194.8 average) and Kersting was 28th (967 for five games, 193.4 average).  
 
Collectively, the women converted 95.45 percent on single-pin spares and had 135 strikes. Kersting (13-for-13), Hansen (14-for-14) and Sanchez (14-for-14) were all perfect for the day on single-pin spares.
 
"Marisol is performing consistently at a high level and increasingly becoming one of our most important contributors as we move toward the postseason," Slowinski said. "I am incredibly proud of the bowler she is becoming."
 
The Lady Railsplitters remain in sixth place, just 26 pins behind No. 16 Central Missouri, who LMU will face Sunday at 9:55 EST in the opening round of best-of-7 baker format. The Lady Railsplitters are 270 pins in front of No. 18 Maryville University, who sits in seventh.  Final placement in the Big Red Invite is based on final averages for the weekend.