Four teams remained alive Friday at the 2008 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship at Thunder Alley: a defending champion with resolve, a runner-up proving it wasn't a one-year wonder, a Division III powerhouse taking the next step and an upstart newcomer that continues to impress.

Defending champion Vanderbilt, which suffered a quick 4-0 defeat to Maryland-Eastern Shore in the first Round of the best-of-7 Baker games, double-elimination match play, fought back to the semifinals where it beat the same undefeated Hawks, 4-2, to force another semifinal match between the teams Saturday.

"We never say die," said Vanderbilt sophomore Josie Earnest, Most Outstanding Player of last year's championship. "We know we are better when our backs are against the wall. We're fighters. We're trying to repeat."

The Commodores, who defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore, 4-3, in last year's title match, stayed alive after the first round by eliminating Sacred Heart, 4-3, and Central Missouri, 4-2.

"We know losing the first one doesn't necessarily mean you're done," Vanderbilt head coach John Williamson said. "They didn't want to lose. To advance in any tournament, you have to capitalize on mistakes and take advantage of opportunities. Other than the first match today, we were able to do that."

In the other semifinal, Arkansas State - making its first appearance at the NCAA tournament - stayed alive with a 4-2 victory over New Jersey City. Arkansas State jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Knights posted big scores to win the next two, 244-185 and 214-166, and tighten the match.

The Indians, however, edged out a 207-199 victory in Game 6 to force Saturday's rematch.

"We came very close to tying it up and on to Game 7," said New Jersey City head coach Frank Parisi, who has his Division III Gothic Knights in the final four for the third time in the event's five-year history. "If we can get some better breaks and start a little bit early with those kind of games, we'll obviously be in better shape. It bodes well and gives them the confidence that they aren't going to quit."

Since Maryland-Eastern Shore and New Jersey City each suffered their first loss in the semifinals, rematches are needed under the double-elimination format. Saturday's semifinals begin at 5:30 p.m. EDT and are webcast on ncaa.com.

The best-of-7 Baker championship match is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT Saturday, which will be aired live on ESPNU for the second straight year. The championship match also will be replayed at 7 p.m. EDT Monday on ESPN2.

Maryland-Eastern Shore, seeded seventh after qualifying, also defeated Arkansas State, 4.5-3.5 - rebounding from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits.

"This is the team we have seen all year, hopefully they will continue bowling like this," said Maryland-Eastern Shore head coach Sharon Brummell, whose team is ranked second among NCAA schools. "I told them, we got our bad day out of the way and seeding wasn't important for our ultimate goal."

New Jersey City cruised past Minnesota State, 4-1, in the first round, then rallied from a 2-0 deficit to down Central Missouri, 4.5-2.5, and advance to the semifinals.

Top-ranked Nebraska, which earned the No. 1 seed in qualifying and had won seven of eight tournaments this season, stunningly bowed out early - suffering a 4-1 defeat to Central Missouri, followed by a 4-0 sweep at the hands of Minnesota State.

"The worst portion of it that we let down is the fan base," Nebraska head coach Bill Straub said. "We haven't had an opportunity in a long time to have this much support and this much anticipation from the university."