The defending NCAA champion Nebraska women’s bowling team struggled Thursday in the qualifying round of the 2014 National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Huskers compiled a 2-5 record, giving them the 6th overall seed heading into Friday’s double-elimination match play. Saturday’s title match will be televised live on ESPNU at 6 p.m. MT and on a tape-delay basis Sunday from 2-4 MT on the flagship ESPN

The Huskers will start Friday mornings competition facing off against 3rd seeded Vanderbilt in a rematch of last year’s National Championship Match and Thursday’s first qualifying match.

NU lost to Vanderbilt 1031-1011 despite a valiant effort from freshman Gazmine Mason. Mason had a team high 225 in the match while returning All-American Liz Kuhlkin, the Most Outstanding Bowler at last year’s tournament, bowled a 202.

The Huskers picked up their first win of the day beating Central Missouri 1053-1019 behind 3 scores over 200. Kuhlkin led the way with a total pinfall of 247, while junior Andrea Ruiz bowled a 217 and sophomore Beth Hedley a 205 total.

Nebraska then dropped two consecutive games to end the first round of qualifying, falling to Fairleigh Dickinson University 969-919 with Kuhlkin’s 201 the only score over 200, and 1024-1015 to top-ranked Arkansas State. Kuhlkin again led the Huskers, scoring a 237.

After a brief intermission, Nebraska opened up the second qualifying round by beating Sam Houston State 1019-937, as true freshman Briana Zabierek led the way with a 255 in her first game of the day.

NU then lost to Wisconsin-Whitewater 1004-975, behind another team leading performance by Zabierek, a 222, and ended the day by losing to Maryland Eastern-Shore 1117-852.

Kuhlkin had the highest average in the 5 matches for the Huskers at 203.