Women's Bowling | 2/8/2025 11:32:00 PM
LOCKPORT, Ill. – The Sixth-ranked North Carolina A&T bowling team had a challenging day ahead on Saturday during the second day of the Flyer Classic hosted by Lewis University at Strike N' Spare II bowling alley.
During traditional format play, A&T faced five ranked opponents from the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll on Saturday. The Aggies came away from the difficult day with a 2-3 record, knocking down 5,148 pins.
Over the two-day tournament, the Aggies have a total pinfall of 10,452 for an average of 209.0 in 50 games played. The Aggies will enter Sunday's best-of-seven Baker format bracket play as the No.3 seed and will face the fifth-ranked Youngstown State to open the day. The Penguins earned the No. 4 seed.
Senior Laura Garcia led the Aggies as an individual, placing ninth on Saturday with a total pinfall of 1,086 to post a five-game average of 217.20. Freshman Jasmine Hall finished two positions behind in 11th with a 1,073 total pinfall to average 214.60 in five games. Senior Maya Avilez also finished in the top 15 for A&T.
Avilez knocked down 1,062 pins on her way to a five-game average of 212.40.
"Sitting in third place is a good finish always," said Garcia. "As long as we have the chance to go for the trophy, I stay positive. I like where we are in the standings, and I'm looking forward to playing our best tomorrow."
The first ranked team the Aggies faced was No. 19 Wright State. The Raiders defeated A&T 1,041-974. Freshman Victorya White led the Aggies with a 215 total pinfall, followed by Hall's 213 and Avilez's 211. White finished 20th overall on Saturday, knocking down 1,043 pins for a five-game average of 208.60.
The Aggies defeated two top-five teams on Saturday, starting with Youngstown State. The foursome of Garcia, Avilez, Hall and White were terrific in A&T's 1,054-1,000 win over the Penguins. Garcia posted 226 and Avilez added a 222 total pinfall. Hall and White had 218 and 216 in the victory. A&T's other win over a top-five opponent came over defending national champion and third-ranked Jacksonville State.
Hall led the charge to lead the Aggies to their second straight win over the Gamecocks, by posting a 290 total pinfall in A&T's 1,203-1,112 win. Graduate Melanie Katen stepped in to post a 236 pinfall, followed by Garcia's 232 score. White also contributed to the high-scoring affair by posting a 229.
"What I enjoyed the most today was the Jacksonville State match," said Garcia. "We had difficult moments throughout the day, but that match was very consistent, and we were all fighting from the start to end. We knew what we wanted, and we took it."
A&T lost its final two matches of the day, starting with a 1,000-908 loss to No. 8 Sam Houston State University (SHSU). Garcia bowled a 234, but SHSU's Breana Chewens' 213 and Ana Gonzalez's 207 led the Bearkats. The day ended for A&T with a 1,157-1,009 loss to No. 7 Wichita State.
Avilez led the Aggies with a 237 total pinfall. The Aggies are 7-3 for the tournament and 55-23 overall entering Sunday's play.
