NORFOLK, Va., October 16, 2013 – The Lady Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) were predicted to finish atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) northern division, while Norfolk State was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the southern division in the conference’s preseason poll. Norfolk State senior Thea Aspiras was named the Preseason Bowler of the Year, the conference announced on Wednesday.

The preseason poll and all-conference team selections are voted by the MEAC’s head bowling coaches and sports information directors.

Three-time bowling national champion Maryland Eastern Shore received 14 of the 19 first-place votes. The Lady Hawks completed the 2012-2013 season with a 27-3 mark in conference and a 120-26 overall record. UMES won the National Championship last season with a 2-0 victory over Pikeville, which marked the second USBC Collegiate Championship in three years and fifth title in six seasons.

Norfolk State garnered 15 of the 19 first-place votes in this season’s preseason poll. The Spartans recorded a 21-3 MEAC mark and 63-34 overall record last year.

Aspiras averaged a 201.7 pinfall in 43 team games last season for the Spartans. The senior recorded a total pinfall of 8,673 and bowled a season-high 257. Last year, Aspiras was named to the All-MEAC First Team, MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team, National Tennpins Coaches Association (NTCA) Academic Honorable Mention All-American, NSU All-Tournament Team and USBC All-Tournament Team. 

Delaware State was predicted to finish second in the northern division with 177 points. Hampton (163) was chosen to finish third in the north followed by Howard (132), Morgan State (130) and Coppin State (101).

In the southern division, the North Carolina A&T Lady Aggies were picked to finish second with a total of 159 points. Bethune-Cookman was predicted to finish third with 154 points. Florida A&M (150) and North Carolina Central (126) completed the southern division predictions with fourth and fifth place finishes, respectively.

Joining Aspiras on the Preseason All-MEAC team are Maryland Eastern Shore teammates Mariana Alvardo and Megan Buja. Carrie Hopkinson of Florida A&M and Emily Strombeck of North Carolina A&T round out the preseason team selections.

The MEAC Bowling Championship tournament is scheduled for March 21-23, 2014.