LOCKPORT, Ill. – The North Carolina A&T bowling team continues to blaze inside the bowling alley. Two weeks off their third-place finish at the Prairie View A&M University Invitational, where they defeated the top five teams in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Coaches' poll, the newly minted sixth-ranked A&T Aggies went 5-0 on the first day of the Flyer Classic hosted by Lewis University at Strike N' Spare II.
The Aggies totaled 5,304 pins on Friday, joining No. 3 Jacksonville State and No. 7 Wichita State as the only three teams to go 5-0 on Friday. The Aggies averaged 212.2 pins per game during the Baker format matches.
"I loved being with my team, winning our matches, putting up back-to-back good games, and being able to stack good shots when it mattered," said A&T freshman Victorya White.
The Aggies opened the day by facing tournament host Lewis University, earning a 1,034-912 win. They followed that win with a 1,059-895 victory over No. 14 Wisconsin-Whitewater. The Aggies moved to 3-0 with a 933-753 win over Carroll University.
"At home in the Triad, the ball hooked a bit more," said White. "So, we were prepared to bring all our equipment for when it's fresh and when it breaks down terribly. It played how it played, and we executed as such."
A&T took down Elmhurst University in the fourth game, 1,176-826, before closing out Friday's play with a close 1,102-1,054 win over Oklahoma Christian University. The Aggies will continue their play in the Flyer Classic on Saturday.
The Aggies will open with No. 19 Wright State in traditional format matches. They will follow that match against a ranked opponent with matchups against No. 5 Youngstown State, No. 3 Jacksonville State, No. 8 Sam Houston State and Wichita State.
"To keep moving up the standings, I think we need to stay focused on the things in our control," said A&T freshman Jasmine Hall. "Our energy, fight and intensity all need to stay high and keep the momentum of shots flowing. If we can do that, then moving up will not be an issue."
