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Printer-Friendly ModeBowlers shocked in semis
April 21, 2008 —
After Saturday, only one pin seperated the Cardinals and the Wichita State Shockers, and it belonged to Wichita.
That pin meant a loss in the semi-finals and an end for the SVSU bowling team's bid for a third straight national title
"They came out striking," junior Dan MacLelland said of Wichita State in the semis. "They hit some great shots. We were struggling to find ours."
The Cardinals beat Wichita State on Friday, and met them again in the semis on Saturday. Because of this, and the tournament is double-elimination rule, the Cardinals only needed one victory, while the Shockers needed two. It would come down to the final frame of the fourth game in the second match, with tournament MVP MacLelland up. However, the Cardinals weren't able to overcome the deficit Wichita State had already given them.
"We gave it our all," MacLelland said. "I told the guys to leave it on the lanes. It won't do anyone any good to dwell on it."
The Cardinals bowling team is known throughout the nation as a top program. They finished the season ranked number one in the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches poll, and were looking to become the first team to three-peat since since Wichita State did it from 1993 through 1995. Despite this season not ending how they wanted it, MacLelland says they will be back next season.
"We'll have a powerhouse again next season."