LANSING, Mich. - The 2026 NAIA Women's Bowling National Championships at Royal Scot in Lansing, Michigan, completed a high-stakes opening day featuring the debut of the Mega Match tournament format. This format requires teams to win two out of three points: a traditional team game, a five-game Baker total pinfall set, and—if tied—a best-of-seven Baker matchplay.

Schedule | Bracket

Women’s Division Round Results

The women’s division featured several lower seeds making significant moves, including a standout performance by Cumberland University with a perfect 300 baker game in the afternoon session!

Opening Round (Morning Session):

• #9 Calumet-St. Joseph (Ind.) upset #8 William Penn (Iowa) to advance in a match that came down to the last shot.
• #12 St. Francis (Ill.) secured an opening-round victory over #5 Spring Arbor (Mich.), 2-0.
• #11 Cumberland (Tenn.) upset #6 Lawrence Tech (Mich.), 2-0.
• #10 Morningside (Iowa) moved forward with a win over #7 Ottawa (Kan.), 2-0.

Winner's Bracket Second Round (Afternoon Session):

• #1 Mount Mercy (Iowa) defeated #9 Calumet-St. Joseph (Ind.), 2-0.
• #4 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) took down #12 St. Francis (Ill.), 2-1.
• #11 Cumberland (Tenn.) continued its underdog run by upsetting #3 Milligan (Tenn.), 2-0.
• #2 Pikeville (Ky.) defeated #10 Morningside (Iowa), 2-0.

Competition continues Friday morning with the elimination bracket matches as teams Battle For The Red Banner in the National Championship matches on Saturday.