PITTSBURGH, Pa.—Second-seeded William Smith defeated third-seeded Alvernia in a mega match in the second round of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Women's Bowling Championship at Pines Plaza Lanes this afternoon.
 
A mega match is a best of three format which includes a five-person team match, Baker total pinfall and, if the teams are tied, a best-of-seven Baker match to determine a winner. The Wolves prevailed in the team match, while the Herons took the Baker total pinfall and best-of-seven.
 
Sophomore Caitlyn Anschutz rolled a team-best 184 in the traditional, but Alvernia got a pair of 200 games and won 998-840. William Smith soared in the Baker total pinfall, winning 1,003-795.
 
In the best of seven, the Herons got off to a good start, winning the first two games in nail-biting fashion 187-182 and 171-170. The Wolves fought back to take the next three to push William Smith to the brink. The Herons rose to the challenge with convincing wins in Game 6, 161-136, and Game 7, 174-126.
 
"Today was a grind and test of our resilience," Heron Head Coach Heather Sterner said. "This bowling center has approaches and lanes that were difficult for us to get comfortable on. We had a slow start but didn't panic and knew we could bounce back in the Baker matches. Michaela [Morgan] stepped up with huge shots in the 10th frame in a few games for us to get some wins, but it was a collective team effort to get it done at the end of the day."
 
William Smith (48-21) will be back in action at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23, when the Herons take on top-seeded Saint Vincent (64-12). The winner of that match will advance to Sunday's championship. The loser will play again Saturday afternoon for the second spot in Sunday's championship.