EAST GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T women's bowling finished the fall season on a strong note, winning its last three tournaments.
In their final tournament before the holiday break, the UMES Hawk Classic in Millsboro, Del., the Aggies beat the second-ranked team in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA), the Vanderbilt, Commodores, three times.
N.C. A&T entered the season ranked No. 7 in the NTCA poll. However, by the end of the fall semester, the Aggies had the No. 2 ranking in the country, the highest in program history. The previous best ranking was No. 4, achieved twice over the last two seasons.
"There was a clear understanding of what is necessary to win against the best teams in the country, and they were prepared to do that," said North Carolina A&T head coach Terrell-Kearney. "We had practice to work on the things that make us a team that can compete at that level."
The Aggies open the spring semester in Deptford, N.J., for Sacred Heart University's Northeast Classic, Jan. 20-22.
N.C. A&T comes into the spring 40-6 (.870) overall and 8-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Aggies have a 24-6 (.800) record against teams ranked in the preseason poll. They are also 8-4 (.667) against the top-five teams.
"I think that's the difference between this year and years past," said Terrell-Kearney "In years past, we had just gotten to a level to at least competing. Now, they very much have confidence and believe that they can win against these teams. That's the difference in at least last semester's success. Hopefully, we'll carry that over into this coming semester."
The Aggies started the season by finishing fourth at the Colonial Classic after entering bracket play in first place. After two weeks off, the Aggies lost to the top-ranked team in the nation and defending national champion, McKendree, in bracket play at the Sam Houston State University's (SHSU) Track Kat Klash. They followed by defeating then No. 5 SHSU to earn another opportunity to defeat McKendree.
N.C. To win the tournament, A&T got its revenge by defeating the Bearcats 4-0.
The following week, N.C. A&T went 8-0 in the first MEAC meet with four wins against top-25 NTCA teams. In winning the UMES Hawk Classic, the Aggies went 12-1.
Four Aggies averaged over 200 last semester. Sophomore Chloe Newberry led the way with 3,130 pins for a 15-match average of 208.67 and bowled a team-best game of 269 against No. 17 Tulane in the UMES Hawk Classic.
MEAC preseason bowler of the year, Lauren Tomaszewski, trails Newberry by 12 pins with 3,118 pins for a 15-match average of 207.87, and 2022 MEAC bowler of the year, Melanie Katen, knocked down 3,058 pins for a 15-match average of 203.87.
Three other Aggies averaging in the 190s star with junior Laura Garcia. She has 1,792 total pins for a nine-match average of 199.11. Katie Robb knocked down 989 pins for a five-match average of 197.80, and Grace Stull trails Robb by three pins (986) for a five-match average of 197.20.
Three Aggies competed in the U.S. Amateur earlier in January. Maya Avilez finished 41st among the U.S. Amateurs with 289.0 points, knocking down 5,763 pins. Newberry finished 47th with 299.0 points. She knocked down 5,788 pins, and Tomaszewski finished 51st with 311.0 points. She knocked down 5,733 pins.
A&T will bowl in two additional tournaments after the SHU Northeast Classic before hosting two tournaments at Greensboro's Triad Lanes.
A&T hosts the MEAC second meet from Feb. 18-19.
A&T finishes its home schedule with the NCATSU Stallings Invitational from Feb. 24-26 before the regular season finale tournament in Smyrna, Tenn., with Vanderbilt University's Music City Classic from March 17-19.
"Our objective, as it was leading up to this point, is that we are committed to being better each time we play," Terrell-Kearney said. "If we keep that in the forefront of our minds, success will come. I believe we'll be ready when the postseason arrives to reach our goals."
