CHESAPEAKE, Va.  – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) bowling team captured its second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship and seventh overall with a 4-3 victory over Florida A&M University on Sunday afternoon AMF Lanes in Chesapeake.

The Lady Hawks raced out to a 3-1 lead against the No. 6 Lady Rattlers in the double-elimination tournament, but Florida A&M rallied with scores of 191-183, 211-165 and 205-181 to win the best-of-seven format and force a deciding series.

Florida A&M opened the deciding best-of-seven series with 160-149 and 210-152 wins. Maryland Eastern Shore bounced back with 170-153 and 218-198 victories to even the match at 2. Florida A&M won game five and UMES took game six, setting up the deciding seventh game.

The Lady Hawks dominated the final game, winning their seventh overall title with a 182-130 victory.

“It’s been fun,” Maryland Eastern Shore Head Coach Kayla Bandy said. “We have eight strong women. Today was a roller coaster, but we found a way to move forward and capture the championship.”

No. 2 North Carolina A&T battled Florida A&M during the morning’s semifinal match. The Lady Rattlers rolled past the Lady Aggies, 4-0, to advance to the championship final.

UMES junior Mariana Alvarado earned Outstanding Tournament Performer honors. Alvarado finished the tournament with a 177 average during team games on Friday.

“To be successful, we have to work hard as a team” Alvarado said. “That has been our team motto all season. Florida A&M bowled hard. The biggest thing is that we believe in each other, which helped propel us today.”

Head Coach Kayla Bandy of Maryland Eastern Shore was named Outstanding Coach in her opening season at the helm.

Joining Alvarado on the All-Tournament Team is teammate Megan Buja. North Carolina A&T’s Emily Strombeck, Katherine Jones of Florida A&M and Norfolk State’s Thea Aspiras complete the team.

The MEAC Bowling championship finale will air in a tape-delayed format on Monday, March 31 at 10:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

For more information on MEAC Bowling or other sponsored sports, visit www.meacsports.com.