SMRYNA, Ten. - The Carroll bowling team competed against a deep national field at the 2026 Music City Classic, hosted by Vanderbilt University from March 6–8 in Nashville, Tennessee, gaining valuable experience against some of the top programs in the country.
Carroll finished the event 25th overall in a field that started with 34, posting a 5–8 record across Baker and traditional play. The Pioneers totaled 12,080 pins over 68 games, averaging 178.0 pins per game against a schedule filled with Division I and nationally recognized bowling programs.
The weekend opened with Baker competition, where Carroll battled through a challenging slate of matches. The Pioneers showed resilience throughout the day, picking up key wins while continuing to adjust to lane conditions against a high-level field. Carroll followed with traditional play, where the team posted multiple competitive games and continued to build momentum into bracket play.
Individually, Ava Butt led the Pioneers with a strong weekend, rolling a 978 series over five games to average 195.6, finishing as Carroll's top individual performer at the event. Miley Brooks followed closely behind with a 929 series (185.8 average), while Samantha Sciortino added consistency to the lineup with a 920 total (184.0 average). Natalie Hirsch and Bartlett Hannah also contributed valuable frames throughout the weekend as Carroll rotated lineups to match conditions.
Sunday's bracket play tested Carroll against additional quality opponents, as the Pioneers continued to compete until the conclusion of the tournament. While the final standings did not reflect the team's effort and progress, the weekend provided important postseason-style experience against elite competition.
The Music City Classic served as another step forward for Carroll as the Pioneers continue to build depth and confidence heading into the final stretch of the season, as they head to Addison, IL in USBC Intercollegiate Team Championship that they qualified for through their outstanding play this season.
