NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) preseason polls have been released for the 2020-21 season, and Lincoln Memorial University women's bowling team is ranked No. 23 in the national poll and No. 6 in the Division II/III rankings.
 
After the 2019-20 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lady Railsplitters finished with a 55-47 overall record, including a third-place finish at the Warhawk Classic.
 
This year's LMU squad will combine a mixture of talent and experience as the team returns seven bowlers from last season's roster, while adding one junior transfer and seven incoming freshmen.
 
LMU checked-in with the second-highest ranking in the East Coast Conference, just behind Adelphi University (N.Y.) who is ranked 20th overall, and No. 5 in the Division II/III rankings.
 
Fellow Division II member, McKendree University (Ill.), topped both the NTCA poll and the Division II/III rankings. The Bearcats collected 25 first-place votes in the NTCA poll, nine more votes than No. 2 ranked Vanderbilt University.
 
About the NTCA
Since its development, the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) has been a driving force in the advancement of NCAA Women's Bowling. More than half of the individuals who coach at NCAA institutions who sponsor women's bowling are NTCA members, and that number continues to grow each season.
 
The NTCA's core mission is twofold. First, to facilitate dialogue between coaches and the NCAA in the development of bowling legislation and rules. Secondly, to provide coaches and institutions with the education necessary to grow the sport.
 
The NTCA sponsors the NTCA Coaches Poll, which is the official poll for ranking the top 25 best NCAA women's bowling teams in the nation, as well as a separate poll for Division II and Division III programs. In addition, the NTCA sponsors All-American awards, as well as Rookie, Coach and Bowler of the Year awards. The NTCA also provides a statistical reporting service that tracks player and team performance across multiple categories.