Bowling | 10/20/2024 8:52:00 PM
ORLANDO, Fla. – North Carolina A&T completed its first tournament of the season, the Orlando Destination, at AMF Sky Lanes, by finishing 9-4 after a Baker format match and bracket play on Sunday. The Aggies, the sixth-ranked team in the nation according to the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA), finished the tournament in ninth place with a total pinfall of 12,773 for a 63-game average of 196.5. They finished Sunday's action 3-0.
"Today felt more like us," said senior Chloe Newberry. "The energy was there, and the competitive nature we strived for was high. As a team and individually, we know there are things we need to work on, and we're already figuring out ways we can work on them. Repeatability is No. 1 on the list."
A&T opened Sunday's play with an additional Baker format match. The Aggies defeated Florida A&M 994-685 to move to 4-2 in Baker play for the tournament. The Aggies entered bracket play as the No. 9 seed. They opened bracket play under the Baker format against 12th-seed Alabama State. Things did not start well for A&T as Alabama State took the first game 227-156.
The Aggies recovered by winning the next two games with a combined total pinfall of 431-323 to take a 2-1 lead. The Aggies took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven match by out-pinning the Hornets 169-142. The Aggies advanced with a Game 5 win by beating Alabama State 279-135. The Aggies defeated the Hornets with a total pinfall of 1,035-827.
"Today was definitely our best day," said senior Maya Avilez. "Today was my best showing individually, and the same was true for the team. In the future, we have to bowl without fear and hit the same mark twice."
After beating Alabama State, the Aggies faced 10th-seeded Duquesne. Duquesne is also the 10th-ranked team in the nation. The Aggies squeezed past the Dukes 173-172 in the first game before losing 188-135 in the second. The Aggies won the next three games in the series to win the best of seven 4-1. In those three games, the Aggies out-pinned the Dukes 661-585. The Aggies had 969 total pinfall compared to Duquesne's 945.
"Today was a better representation of what we truly bring to the table," said sophomore Savannah Burgin. "What I loved most about today was having our new teammates experience what it's like to compete on Sunday. As a team, we will work hard on improving our shot-making and repeatability."
The Aggies' season will continue November 9-10 when they host the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Meet #1 at Triad Lanes in Greensboro, N.C.