PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio (4/9/26) – Making its seventh Final Four appearance in program history, the third-seeded Arkansas State women's bowling team begins its pursuit of a first national championship Friday at 8 a.m. (CT) against Vanderbilt at Yorktown Lanes.
 
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
The 2026 National Collegiate Bowling Championship is a double-elimination tournament using the mega-match format (traditional team game, 5-game Baker set and, if the teams split those, a best-of-seven Baker series). Friday's session takes place at 8 a.m. (CT) and 2 p.m. (CT) with Saturday's session at 8 a.m. (CT). The championship match, a single best-of-seven Baker series, airs on ESPNU Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (CT).
 
THE FINAL FOUR STANDING
Three of the top four seeds in the NCAA Tournament advanced to Yorktown Lanes and all four teams call Conference USA home. No. 1 Jacksonville State will face Wichita State while second-seeded Vanderbilt takes on the Red Wolves. A-State is a combined 14-11 against the three teams, 3-7 versus Jacksonville State, 7-2 against Vanderbilt and 4-2 against Wichita State.
 
A-STATE IN THE NCAAs
The Red Wolves have appeared in 18 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, including the last 17 under head coach Justin Kostick. A-State is assured a top four finish for the seventh time in program history and is in search of its first national title. The Red Wolves have finished runner-up four times (2008, 2021, 2023, 2024), third (2010, 2013), fifth (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and seventh (2009, 2019). In the first season with regional format (2022), A-State was runner-up in the Lansing Regional while placing third at the 2025 Pittsburgh Regional.
 
HOW TO WATCH
All matches from Parma Heights, Ohio, will be livestreamed on NCAA.com. The national championship match (a single best-of-seven Baker series) will be televised live on ESPNU at 5:30 p.m. (CT) Saturday.
 
Friday, April 10
Match 1: No. 1 Jacksonville State vs Wichita State | 8 a.m. (CT)
Match 2: No. 2 Vanderbilt vs No. 3 Arkansas State | 8 a.m. (CT)
Match 3: Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2 | 2 p.m. (CT)
Match 4: Loser Match 1 vs Loser Match 2 | 2 p.m. (CT)
 
Saturday, April 13
Match 5: Loser Match 3 vs Winner Match 4 | 8 a.m. (CT)
Championship Match: Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 5 | 5:30 p.m. (CT)
 
RED WOLVES IN PITTSBURGH REGIONAL
A-State advanced to Parma Heights behind a 3-0 performance at the regional championship in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Red Wolves opened with a 2-0 mega-match win over Belmont Abbey and then rallied past Nebraska 2-1 to advance to the championship match. A-State met Nebraska once again and won 2-0 to advance to Yorktown Lanes.
 
FOLLOW A-STATE BOWLING
For the latest news and live updates on the Red Wolves in Parma Heights, Ohio, follow A-State Bowling on Twitter/X (@AStateBowling, Facebook (/AStateBowling) and Instagram (@redwolvesbowling).