GREENSBORO, N.C. (February 25, 2022) – The Mount Bowling team currently sits second in a strong field of teams at the Stallings Invitational in Greensboro, N.C. The ladies picked up wins over Florida A&M, Howard, Belmont Abbey and Tusculum, while suffering their only loss to #4 nationally ranked Vanderbilt in a high scoring affair.
 
The Mountaineers were led by Senior Rebecca Dodson with an outstanding 22.14 baker frame average. Senior Barbara Hawes made a big impact in her starting opportunity with a 20.16 baker frame average. Sophomore Alyssa Alexander (19.94 baker frame average), junior Amanda Yeung (18.70), and senior Tamera Stanton (18.14) rounded out the scoring effort for MSM.
 
#10 Mount: 922 | Florida A&M: 900
 
The Mountaineers won their first ever matchup with the Rattlers in program history as they grinded out a 922-900 victory. A 201 opening game helped the ladies gain some insurance on a low scoring fresh pair.
 
#10 Mount: 1,061 | #4 Vanderbilt: 1,153
 
In ironic fashion, the Mount's highest set of the day would result in their only loss of the day, as the tournament leading Commodores also rolled their highest of the day in round two. The ladies hung tough with three of the first four games over 220, but a 241-180 advantage for VU game five sealed the loss for MSM.
 
#10 Mount: 1,051 | Howard: 765
 
The Mountaineers would jump to second and remain there for the duration of the day following their 1,051-765 win over Howard. A 244 game two and 225 game three put the match away early as the ladies settled into another big set.
 
#10 Mount: 1,056 | Belmont Abbey: 699
 
Another blowout victory favored the Mount in their win over Belmont Abbey, marking a third consecutive set over 1,050. A 247 game one and 237 game three built an insurmountable lead for BA to overcome.
 
#10 Mount: 885 | Tusculum: 785
 
The last match of the day would come on pair that had been giving team fits all days and the Mount was no exception. Nevertheless, the ladies were able to keep every game 170 or higher in a hard earned victory over the Pioneers of Tusculum.
 
"While I think we had some missed opportunities today that could have saw us sitting first in standings, we have to be pleased with second given the caliber of teams behind us," said head coach Kenneth DeGraaf. "Rebecca was strong as always, Barbara made the most of her starting opportunity, and our sophomore Alyssa handled the anchor position with poise all day when we needed her too, saving a lot of games for us in the tenth frame. We never felt fooled on this pattern until the last match when the friction was ridiculous compared to other pairs we had been on. Still, we will not have to see that pair tomorrow and have a great opportunity to enter championship Sunday as the one or two overall seed, a very favorable position to be in. That is exactly what we will strive to do."
 
The Mountaineers will begin competition at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow (Feb. 26) with five traditional matches. The Traditional format has been the team's highest scoring so far this season. All five matches will feature ranked opponents; #6 North Carolina A&T, #14 Delaware State, #16 Maryland Eastern Shore, #2 Sam Houston, and #21 Lincoln Memorial.