For the second time in a row and third time since 2021 the Youngstown State bowling team in the final four.

The Penguins, Nebraska, Jacksonville State & Wichita State vie in Las Vegas for the Division I Bowling National Championship.

"I think the third time is the charm," said senior Ellie Dresher. "We just had a lottery ticket and it was number three and we won $110 dollars, so the third time is the charm."

The Penguins finished fourth in 2021 and third a year ago.  The tournament opens Friday with the Penguins bowling against second seed Nebraska.

"All the teams here are great," said coach Doug Kuberski. "We bowled them a handful of times plus this year. You have to make every shot count, you can't give shots away and you have to be aggressive."

Six seniors are part of the YSU team and Madyson Marx is bowling is in her third "final four."

"Every team wants to be bowling in April and I'm glad were back," said Marx.

Kuberski added this was the goal set at the beginning of the year and now they want to win it.

"We wanted to get this crew out there. The ladies, their families, the YSU family and we're going to have a nice contingent in Vegas."

With Championship Weekend coming up it also closes the career of six seniors.

"There's a lot of emotions and excitement," said Drescher adding, "it's sad because this is my last tournament as a senior and there's some unfinished business."

Marx added, "I'm glad were getting a little redemption and would love to go out with a bang."

The Penguins first match is Friday at 12:00 noon.

PENGUIN NOTES:

FULL EXPERIENCE: The team will get the full Las Vegas experience.  Their hotel is the MGM Grand.

TOURNAMENT SITE: The championships are at the Suncoast Bowling Center about 15 miles off the Vegas Strip.

STREAMING: The first day of competition will be on ncaa.org.   The championship match is on ESPNU Saturday night.