Being the best isn't always easy, but Vanderbilt's No. 1 ranked bowlers have found a way to cope.

Crowned the nation's best team nearly the entire season, the Commodores will enter the NCAA Championships beginning April 9 as the team to beat.

But, said senior Michelle Peloquin, there's no pressure defending that top ranking.

"Whenever I am asked about this, or even think about it, what I remind myself is that for the past two years the team ranked No.1 going into the tournament did not win the National Championship, so it really is not a good indication of what will happen," Peloquin said. "I think that if you let being ranked No. 1 enter into your mentality it can be harmful."

Indeed, last season seventh-seeded Maryland-Eastern Shore shocked the second-seeded Commodores in the semifinals of the NCAAs and then went on to defeat Arkansas State University for the national title. This came one year after Vanderbilt claimed the school's first-ever national title despite being the No. 3 seed in the tournament.

So a No. 1 ranking is a nice compliment to the Commodores, but it remains just a compliment. Going out and performing well remains their goal.

"We go out there and give it our best every shot," said senior Karen Grygiel. "We do not feel like we have to defend anything. It is more that we want to be the best we can be."

Senior Tara Kane added that the team's focus helps them combat any externalities that could distract them from not performing their best.

"I think that there will always be feelings of pressure, but it all depends on how you deal with and interpret those feelings," Kane said. "For much of this year, we have worked really hard to focus on us and ignore everything else going on to try and suppress the feeling of pressure. I think the key is "defense" in the sense that we just need to stay composed and take care of what we have in our control."

Vanderbilt enjoys the luxury of a wealth of experience on its roster as well. Having competed for three straight national championships, the seniors on the team aren't in for any surprises.

"We have a good idea of what to expect and the things we need to be able to do," Grygiel said.