INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Belmont Abbey has drawn Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference champion Saint Vincent as its first-round opponent in the 2026 National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship, the NCAA announced today. The Crusaders are part of the regional being conducted at the AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes in Pittsburgh, Pa..

The Abbey will face the Bearcats in a single-elimination Mega-Match on Thursday, April 2. With a win, it would advance to a double elimination bracket including No. 3 national seed Arkansas State on Friday. Nebraska and host Duquesne round out the regional. Mega-Matches consist of a best two-of-three format including a traditional team match, a five-game Baker total pinfall match and a best four-of-seven regular Baker match.

The Crusaders are making their third straight appearance at the championship after capturing the Conference Carolinas automatic bid. In each of the last two years, The Abbey has won its first-round match before dropping the next two matches in the double-elimination format.

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

• 2025 (Arlington, Texas)
  • First Round -- defeated Prairie View A&M, 2-0
  • Opening Match -- lost to Jacksonville State, 2-0
  • Loser's Bracket -- lost to Sam Houston State, 2-0.
• 2024 (Arlington, Texas)
  • First Round -- defeated Alabama State 2-0
  • Opening Match -- lost to North Carolina A&T, 2-0
  • Loser's Bracket -- lost to Louisiana Tech, 2-0.