Women's Bowling | 11/22/2024 2:12:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Colonial Classic was a true roller coaster of emotions for the North Carolina A&T bowling team. We finished the weekend with a 9-4 record, placing fifth overall. At first glance, that might sound like a solid result, but it fell short of our expectations.
While we were proud of how we played, the results did not fully reflect the level of performance we knew we were capable of. Our season record now stands at 25-8, and while we were pleased with our progress, we know there's more to achieve. Historically, A&T thrived at this tournament, and we came here with one goal: to win. Though we did not walk away with the trophy, I am proud of how we faced one of the toughest lane patterns we have encountered all season.
One moment that stood out was a tightly contested match against Sam Houston State University (SHSU). It was not just about the score. It was about how we fought for every pin. That match reminded us that we can compete with the best in the nation. Friday kicked off with a strong start, with our only loss coming against Stephen F. Austin. That match was tough, but we did not let it break our spirit.
We carried that fire into Saturday, but the day went differently than planned. The lane patterns were much tighter than we expected, and our accuracy was tested. Missing a spare here and there cost us, but I could not help but admire the team's resilience.
We did not give up even when the pins were not falling our way. There is something special about how we fight through adversity, and it makes me proud to be part of this team. We carry this mentality even when the odds seem stacked against us.
"We don't let things worry or scare us, so we took a minute to breathe when we were down," said senior Chloe Newberry. "We eventually realized that we need to execute like we know how to and go from there."
That quote perfectly sums up how we regained our focus and stayed locked in, even when things were tough. By Sunday, we set our sights on third place. We had the hunger and the determination, but we did not quite reach that goal. However, our match against SHSU was one of the best I have seen from us this season.
The energy was electric, and everyone was locked in. We wanted it badly, but sometimes, no matter how hard you fight, the pins will not fall the way you want them. It was frustrating, but I could not be prouder of our effort. There is something beautiful about that kind of perseverance. The way we push each other and refuse to quit, even when things do not go our way, is what makes us succeed.
The Colonial Classic taught me a lot about our team. Yes, we have faced setbacks but are improving with each match. Every practice, every tournament, is an opportunity to refine our skills. We have been working hard on our accuracy, spare shooting, and pocket control, and I can see that progress on the lanes.
While our season has not unfolded as we envisioned, there is a sense of growth that excites me. We hunger to improve and make every tournament better than the last. That is what convinces me that we are on the right track.
"The main areas the team needs to focus on moving forward are continuing to learn our equipment and stacking great shots together," said A&T head coach Kim Terrell-Kearney.
Next, we are heading to Howell, N.J., for the Garden State Classic hosted by Monmouth from Nov. 22-24 at Howell Lanes. If you are in the area, come out and show your support. We will be streaming live on our Facebook page for those who cannot make it. We are not done yet, and I promise you, the best is yet to come.
