Courtesy of Delaware State Athletic Media Relations


CHESAPEAKE, Va., March 27, 2016--For the third time in team history, Delaware State was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) bowling champion. The top-seeded Hornets claimed their first league title since 2010 with a 4-1 victory over No. 6 seed Norfolk State in a best-of-seven Baker format match at AMF Lanes.
 

DSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the match. The Hornets took the opening game 192-179, and opened up a 2-0 lead with a 194-178 victory in game two.

Delaware State built a commanding 3-0 lead after a close win (179-175) in the third game.

Norfolk State stayed alive in the match with a 167-154 victory in game four, but the Hornets left no doubt with a 198-140 win in game five to clinch the title.

Delaware State senior Stephanie Sheridan earned Outstanding Tournament Performer honors.

Sheridan registered a 193.0 average pinfall during team games on Friday. The honor was the latest in a memorable senior season for Sheridan, who earlier in the season became the first bowler in team history to qualify for the USBC national individual championships after finishing third in the regional competition with a 211.3 average in six games.

Joining Sheridan on the MEAC All-Tournament Team was teammate Chelsey Merklinger. Carrie Hickey and Alexa Rodriguez of Norfolk State and Thashiana Seraus of Maryland Eastern Shore completed the team.

Elysia Current was named MEAC Championship Outstanding Coach.

"This means everything and this is everything we have worked for all season," Current said. "We did not finish very strong at the end of the season, but this is what we have worked for. I have no words. I am unbelievably, incredibly happy. The ladies did an amazing job, and they deserve it."

DSU was undefeated in nine matches during the three-day tournament, including a 4-0 mark in bracket play.

Delaware State won back-to-back MEAC championships in 2009 under head coach Kim Terrell-Kearney, and in 2010, led by head coach Ricky Williams. The Hornets were selected to compete in the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons.

DSU reached the NCAA Tournament "Final Four" in 2009.

Delaware State is third in MEAC history with three bowling championships. UMES is the all-time leader with 10 titles, followed by North Carolina A&T with five.