LAS VEGAS – The North Carolina A&T bowling team saw its season come to an end this week (April 14-19) at the Intercollegiate Singles Championships (ISCs) and the Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITCs) at the South Point Bowling Plaza. Both events are sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).
The competition started Tuesday for two A&T bowlers, freshman Victorya White and senior Maya Avilez. Avilez had a terrific Tuesday, qualifying third in the 24-player women's field thanks to a six-game total of 1,351 for a 225.17 average. Avilez bowled games of 235, 212, 227, 218, 227 and 232.
"I knew about five frames in that this was going to be an NCAA bowler's paradise because this what we like to do," Avilez told the USBC. "I figured scores would be high so that puts all the more emphasis on execution because you know everyone has a chance to shoot big numbers. With that, I just tried to keep my physical game in check and keep doing all the things that make me good."
The top eight seeds earned first-round byes for match play, so Avilez got one round off before getting back to action during Round 2 of bracket play, where she defeated Melia Mitskavich 675-572 before being eliminated in Round 3 by Kylee Trexler 707-683.
Avilez sees a remarkable 2024-25 season ended along with her collegiate career. The 2024-25 season included Avilez putting together the trifecta in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), winning preseason bowler of the year, postseason bowler of the year and most outstanding bowler for the MEAC tournament that the Aggies won for the fourth time in five years.
Avilez also earned third-team All-America honors from the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA). It marked Avilez's second straight third-team All-America accolade from the NTCA. She also has a first-team All-Northeast Region accolade to her credentials, along with two first-team All-MEAC honors.
White looks far from being done as a bowler at A&T. She was eliminated from ISCs in Round 2 by Jenna Lehner. White had one of the best freshman seasons in program history. She won MEAC Rookie of the Year and secured first-team All-MEAC honors. In addition to making the NTCA All-Rookie Team, she earned third-team All-America honors from the organization.
As a team, the Aggies were defeated by Newman on Thursday in a best-of-seven, 4.5-1.5. On Friday from the elimination bracket, Wisconsin-Whitewater brought A&T's 2024-25 season to an end with a 4-1 win in the best-of-seven.
In the latest NTCA poll, the Aggies were ranked eighth. They close the season 87-38 (.696) overall and 12-2 in the MEAC, winning their fifth straight MEAC regular-season championship. Bowlers Chloe Newberry (3x first-team All-MEAC), Melanie Katen (2x MEAC Bowler of the Year), and Laura Garcia (Honorable Mention All-America) also saw their illustrious careers come to an end.
