Nashville, TN, September 5, 2025
News Summary
Vanderbilt University has announced its bowling schedule, marking a pivotal season for the Commodores as they strive for their 20th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The season kicks off with the Penguin Classic, featuring various notable tournaments throughout fall and spring, including the Music City Classic and NCAA Regional. With the addition of talented recruits, the Commodores aim to continue their legacy as a leading force in collegiate bowling while preparing for postseason competitions.
Nashville, TN – Vanderbilt University has announced its highly anticipated 2025-26 bowling schedule, marking a significant season for the Commodores as they embark on their 22nd year under head coach John Williamson. The program aims for its 20th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, continuing a successful trajectory in collegiate bowling.
The Commodores will kick off their campaign on October 17 at Youngstown State’s Penguin Classic, a new event that will add to their growing list of fall competitions. Other notable tournaments in the fall schedule include Sacred Heart’s Destination Orlando from October 24-26, the Bulldog Classic hosted by Louisiana Tech on November 7-9, and Tulane’s Colonial Lanes Classic between November 21-23.
The spring season will commence with the Northeast Classic from January 16-18, known for its size and competitiveness. In January, the Commodores will also return to Prairie View A&M for their Invitational on January 23-25.
Other spring events on Vanderbilt’s calendar include the Storm Flyer Classic from February 6-8 and Nebraska’s Big Red Invitational from February 20-22. The team will conclude the regular season at home with the Music City Classic at the Smyrna Bowling Center in Smyrna, Tennessee, from March 6-8.
As the season progresses, postseason action will begin with the Conference USA Championships on March 17 at Colonial Lanes in Harahan, Louisiana. Following this, the Commodores expect to compete in the NCAA Regional on April 3-4, leading up to the National Collegiate Bowling Championship set for April 10-11 at Yorktown Lanes in Wickliffe, Ohio.
Vanderbilt’s bowling team has been resilient in recent years, having advanced to the regional finals in both 2024 and 2025 seasons, though they fell short of the NCAA Championship. The team’s last appearance at the Final Four occurred in 2023, where they secured their third national championship.
Recognized as the nation’s top-ranked bowling team by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) after the 2024 fall season, the Commodores ranked fourth in the preseason rankings. The team has recorded a season record of 41-10 and leads the NCAA in both top-10 wins and fill frame percentage.
This upcoming season, Vanderbilt will also welcome three new talents: Katelyn Abigania, Avery Domaguin, and Tamia Yeager. Abigania is a two-time Junior Gold champion and the 2025 U.S. Amateur winner, while Domaguin is a current member of Junior Team USA. Yeager has notable achievements in high school bowling and academic excellence, being a two-time Dexter High School All-American.
As they prepare for the 2025-26 season, Vanderbilt looks forward to maintaining their reputation as a powerhouse in collegiate bowling while nurturing new talent and building upon their impressive legacy.
Key Features of Vanderbilt’s Upcoming Season
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Penguin Classic | October 17 | Youngstown State |
| Destination Orlando | October 24-26 | Sacred Heart |
| Bull Dog Classic | November 7-9 | Louisiana Tech |
| Colonial Lanes Classic | November 21-23 | Tulane |
| Northeast Classic | January 16-18 | Sacred Heart |
| Prairie View A&M Invitational | January 23-25 | Prairie View A&M |
| Storm Flyer Classic | February 6-8 | Lewis |
| Big Red Invitational | February 20-22 | Nebraska |
| Music City Classic | March 6-8 | Smyrna, TN |
| Conference USA Championships | March 17 | Harahan, LA |
| NCAA Regional | April 3-4 | N/A |
| National Collegiate Bowling Championship | April 10-11 | Wickliffe, OH |
FAQ
When does Vanderbilt’s bowling season start?
Vanderbilt’s bowling season will open on October 17, 2025, at the Penguin Classic hosted by Youngstown State.
What notable tournaments are included in Vanderbilt’s schedule?
Vanderbilt will compete in several notable tournaments, including the Northeast Classic, the Music City Classic, and the Conference USA Championships.
Who are the new recruits for the Vanderbilt bowling team?
The new recruits for the fall 2025 season are Katelyn Abigania, Avery Domaguin, and Tamia Yeager.
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Additional Resources
- Vanderbilt Commodores Bowling Schedule Announced
- Wikipedia: Bowling
- Vanderbilt Bowling Signs Three
- Google Search: Vanderbilt bowling
- Williamson Source: Vandy Bowling Signs Three
- Google Scholar: Collegiate Bowling
- Vanderbilt Allen Steps into Coaching Role
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bowling
- Vanderbilt Ranked No. 1
- Google News: Vanderbilt bowling 2025
Author: HERE Nashville
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