ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Led by graduate Katie Robb, North Carolina A&T started to show signs of the team that put the collegiate bowling circles on notice late in 2022. On Saturday, the Aggies had a stellar Day 2 at the Prairie View A&M Invitational at the International Training and Research Center (ITRC).
A&T went 3-2 in traditional play, knocking down 4,898 pins for the fifth-highest total on Saturday. The Aggies exceeded 1,000 pins in two matches and added a 982 on the day. For the tournament, the Aggies have 9,539 total pins for an average of 191.9.
Robb will leave the Lone Star State with first place on Saturday at the PVAMU Invite. Robb finished first with 1,142 total pins on Saturday for a five-game average of 228.40. Robb, the 2021 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Singles National Champion, came into the day with a season-high 231 bowled last week at the SHU Northeast Classic. She shattered that with a 265 in the Aggies third match. She also had two games of 246.
Sophomore Maya Avilez also had a productive day as she finished 19th. In four games, she went over 200 three times to total 812 pins for an average of 203.00. Junior Melanie Katen placed 37th, totaling 953 pins for a five-game average of 190.60.
The Aggies, the second-ranked team in the nation in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll, will enter the best-of-seven bracket play on Sunday as the No. 8 seed. A&T will face fifth-seeded Youngstown State, the seventh-ranked team in the country. The Aggies can finish up to fifth.
A&T started the day with a win over host Prairie View A&M, 1,016-867. Robb's first 246 led the way, and sophomore Chloe Newberry contributed with a 194. Fifteenth-ranked Mount St. Mary's needed an outstanding performance to down the Aggies 1,050-982. Avilez posted a 225, and senior Lauren Tomaszewski added a score of 200. But the Mount had four players exceed 200 in the game.
The Aggies had a big-time showing in their third matchup as they downed 14th-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson 1,049-952. Robb, by far, had her best showing of the season with the 265. Katen sparked the Aggies with a 231, and Newberry finished the Knights with a 204.
Against the No. 1 team in the nation, McKendree, A&T had its lowest output as they lost 932-916. Avilez led the Aggies for the second time on the day with a 220. It was complemented by Robb's 202.
Then, the Aggies closed out the day with a thrilling win. A&T took down fifth-ranked Stephen F. Austin 1,015-1,008. A dual between Robb and SFAU's Carlene Beyer broke out. Beyer bowled a 257, but Robb countered with a 246. Chloe Skurzynksi added 214 for the Lumberjacks, but Newberry (203), Katen (193), Tomaszewski (189) and Avilez (184) gave the Aggies consistent play throughout to get the win.
A&T is 4-6 for the tournament and 49-20 on the season.
