William Penn Qualifies for Match Play, Advances to Semis at NAIA Invite
Topeka, Kan.–The Statemen women’s bowling team put up a strong showing as it competed in the NAIA Invitational Friday through Sunday.
On Friday, WPU placed fifth out of 20 teams with 4,563 pins over five individual games, while SCAD Savannah (Ga.) led the field with 4,853 pins.
Emaly Kruse of Morningside was the top bowler with 1,091 pins in five games (218.2 average).
Lucy Mitchell (Jr., Poulsbo, Wash., Psychology and Human Services) was close behind, taking third with a 211.6 average. Alyssa Tanner (Fr., Traverse City, Mich., Sports Management) also recorded a top-10 effort, finishing ninth with a 194.2 clip.
Danielle Fincham (Jr., Surprise, Ariz., Exercise Science) was next, averaging 184.3 pins in four rounds, while Macyn Huston (So., Durant, Iowa, Elementary Education) (168.7) and Jayden Montgomery (Fr., Sigourney, Iowa, Secondary Education) (165.7) both started three games.
Kelcey Aczon-Kawamura (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev., Nursing) and Ashley Gorman (So., Stillwater, Minn., Exercise Science) competed in two rounds apiece with averages of 166.5 and 155.5, respectively.
Brianna Thompson (Jr., Campbellsport, Wis., Psychology and Sociology) tallied 150 pins in her lone start.
William Penn followed that up by taking third in Saturday’s action (25 Baker games) with 4,690 pins; Mount Mercy was first with 5,072 pins.
Friday and Saturday’s scores were then combined to determine the top eight teams for Sunday’s match play event.
The Statesmen earned the No. 3 seed and faced off with Morningside in the quarterfinals, sweeping the Mustangs 4-0 (218-201, 200-184, 168-161, 180-156). Unfortunately, WPU was knocked out in the semifinal round by eventual champion SCAD Savannah (Ga.) by a score of 4-1 (186-227, 175-205, 208-167, 192-210, 185-198).
“Overall, it was a great weekend,” Head Coach Kirstin Foster said. “We faced some of the top teams in the NAIA and held our own. The ladies were steady all weekend and put up big scores when it mattered to move up in standings. It was great seeing them make match play, and start realizing some of their potential.”
Next Up: William Penn is off for a month, returning to action on December 18-19 when it travels to Las Vegas, Nev. to compete in the Glenn Carlson Las Vegas Invitational.
