CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Campbellsville University women's bowling has advanced to its first postseason in program history, qualifying for the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championship sectionals, the United States Bowling Congress announced Tuesday.

Campbellsville University women's bowling has advanced to its first postseason in program history, qualifying for the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championship sectionals, the United States Bowling Congress announced Tuesday.

The Lady Tigers, in only their second year as a program, finished No. 64 among intercollegiate teams, claiming the last position for the postseason. CU will compete March 12-13 at Holiday Bowl Brainerd in Chattanooga, Tenn., for a chance to advance to the 2011 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, which will be April 20-23 at AMF Peach Lanes in Columbus, Ga.

"This is a great boost to our morale, and a confidence booster for both of our programs, women's and men's Bowling," CU head coach John Rausch said. "It helps us to know that we can excel when we work together as a team and work hard as individual athletes. It is especially momentous for our Lady Tigers to be the first of our teams to make it, bragging rights and all."

Campbellsville posted two Top 10 finishes in January and February, which helped push the Lady Tigers up the college rankings. Following a sixth-place varsity finish at the Hoinke Bearcat Open, CU moved to No. 62 in the nation, but slipped to No. 68 following a 10^th-place finish at the Lindenwood Lion Classic the last week of January. But once all competition was finished, CU slipped back in at No. 64 in the final rankings, which were released Sunday, Feb. 20.

"We are very proud of our Lady Tiger bowlers and the success they are experiencing. This is a great group of student-athletes that represent this university in a positive manner. We wish them the best of luck at the USBC sectional tournament," said Rusty Hollingsworth, CU director of athletics.

Rausch hopes the well wishes of the administration and school can help continue to fuel the dark horse or "Cinderella" moments for his team as it travels to sectionals. CU will be one of five NAIA teams in the 16-team tournament, including No. 3 Lindenwood University and No. 7 Webber International University.

The sectional tournaments will consist of a total of 64 Baker games, 32 per day. The top four teams based on total pinfall will advance to the 2011 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships.

"I am very optimistic that our Lady Tiger bowlers will do well in sectionals, and hold out the hope that we may also go on to the Final 16 (out of 64 teams). It will take an effort that will require every bowler to do their absolute best, and to keep competing well together as they have been doing," Rausch said.

Leading the Lady Tigers is Heather Oliveri, a spring semester addition from Texas, with a 174.16 average. Senior bowler Deborah Dean of Maryland follows with a 167.92 average, followed by Brandee Lassiter of Washington (167.57) and Christina D'Ordine of Tennessee (160.84) to round out the team's top four. Kelsey McArthur, a from Missouri, is fifth for CU with an average of 139.55 and Marissa Rehmet of is sixth with a 131.89 average.

Rausch says the recent success has given the program a boost in recruiting, as CU has already signed a top bowler from New York and has two other commitments for the fall.

"As prospective student athletes evaluate their options, they now more reasons to select CU as their college of choice. Athletes want to come to a program that is working well as a team with a good rapport, showing signs of improvement, and getting respect among other collegiate bowling programs around the country."

While the CU men did not qualify for the team sectional tournament, the Tigers will compete March 11 for a chance to qualify for the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships. The top four men and women from each section will advance to the singles championship, which will be May 23-24 at AMF Euless in Euless, Texas.

In addition to No. 64 Campbellsville, the Chattanooga sectional will include:
No. 3 Lindenwood University
No. 7 Webber International University
No. 11 Wright State University
No. 15 Bellarmine University
No. 17 Florida State University
No. 21 Marian University-Indianapolis
No. 27 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
No. 34 Martin Methodist College
No. 37 Urbana University
No. 39 University of Northwestern Ohio
No. 40 Ball State University (Ind.)
No. 49 Cumberland University (Tenn.)
No. 52 University of Florida
No. 55 Morehead State University (Ky.),
No. 61 University of Louisville (Ky.)

Other Women's Sectionals

Allentown Sectional
Adelphi, Adrian, Briarcliffe, Central Florida, Erie Community College, Hudson Valley, Kutztown, Long Island, Mohawk Valley, Penn State-Berks, Pikeville, Purdue, Saginaw Valley State, Stevens Institute, SUNY-IT, Ursuline, Westchester

Peoria Sectional
Calumet College of St. Joseph, Davenport, Elmhurst, Grand Valley, Illinois State, Illinois-Urbana, Indiana, McKendree, Midland, Notre Dame-Ohio, Robert Morris-Illinois, Rock Valley, St. Ambrose, Viterbo, Western Illinois, Winona State, Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Wisconsin-Whitewater

Euless Sectional
Baker, Bethel, Fresno State, Louisiana State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Newman, Our Lady of the Lake, Robert Morris-Peoria, Texas A&M, UC-Davis, West Texas A&M, Wichita State, William Penn