It wasn't the way it was scripted, but the reality was the top-ranked Vanderbilt bowling team went out quietly at the NCAA Championships, getting eliminated in the third round of the tournament by Central Missouri on Friday in a 4-0 sweep to finish in fifth place.

The Commodores, a No. 4 seed after Thursday's qualifying round, were upset by fifth-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round Friday morning to fall into the loser's bracket. They came from behind in the best-of-seven showdown with Arkansas State to win 4-3 and advance, but that was as far as they got. In the Baker match-up against Central Missouri, the Commodores struggled, never putting up more than 196 pins in a round after putting up four rounds of over 200 in their win over Arkansas State.

Nebraska wound up winning the national championship, its third since 2004 and eighth in program history.

With the elimination, Vanderbilt saw the end of the careers of seniors Michelle Peloquin, Karen Grygiel, Tara Kane and Kaitlin Reynolds, the school's first-ever recruiting class that brought the program to new heights during their four years.

After capturing the school's first-ever national championship in 2007, the team finished third at nationals last season and then set a school record this year by winning five tournaments, including their first-ever victory at the Music City Classic.

The Commodores once again had a roster full of terrific talent for the 2008-09 year, so falling short at nationals was a disappointment. At the pre-tournament banquet, Vanderbilt players were given several honors.

For another outstanding campaign, junior Josie Earnest was named the NCAA Bowler of the Year for the second straight season, and she, Peloquin and freshman Brittni Hamilton were named First-Team All-Americans. Hamilton was also named the NCAA Rookie of the Year.