LANSING, Mich.—With single digit temperatures gripping the north, the William Smith bowling team was on fire, finishing second in the DIII National Invitational at Royal Scot Bowling Center this weekend. The Herons went 7-3 in the tournament, breaking the program record for highest total pinfall in a traditional match twice.

 

Senior Michaela Morgan had the tournament's second highest average in traditional matches, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team, while senior Caitlyn Anschutz (6th) and first-year Natalie Yale (8th) narrowly missed joining her on the team. With three 200-games in four matches, Morgan averaged 213.5. Anschutz, bolstered by the fourth highest game in Heron history, averaged 196.5. Yale had two 200 games and averaged 194.0.
 
COACH'S CORNER

"I'm incredibly proud of how this team is learning to come together and overcome adversity. This weekend, every single player contributed in a big way. On Friday, Sarah Shoobe and Tiana Wolkiewicz bowled fantastic in the baker matches. Then on Saturday, we had big games from Colleen Jump, Natalie Yale, and Caitlyn Anschutz early on, then Michaela Morgan and Brooke Gervais led the team at the end of the day. This team is unique because we don't have set starters and I shuffle the lineup around quite a bit and the team is trusting those changes and each other to compete as a unit. I'm looking forward to see how we carry this momentum into our February competitions." – William Smith Head Coach Heather Sterner

 
FRIDAY BAKER MATCHES

• Marian 997, William Smith 835
• William Smith 1011, Elmhurst 928
• William Smith 999, Aurora 890
• William Smith 846, Edgewood 688
• William Smith 963, Carroll 944

 
After falling in the tournament opener, the Herons rebounded in a big way. William Smith's 1,011 total pinfall against the Bluejays was the second highest in a Baker match in program history, just three pins off the record. The Herons followed that with a 999 against the Spartans, the third highest in program history.
 
SATURDAY TRADITIONAL MATCHES

• William Smith 1004, Penn State Behrend 820
• William Smith 1047, Carthage 830
• Hilbert 892, William Smith 892
• William Smith 969, Augustana 885

 
Day 2 of the tournament began with the Herons bowling the highest total pinfall in a traditional match in program history. Behind a 245 by Anschutz and a 231 by Yale, William Smith totaled 1,004, breaking the record which was set in this past November by four pins. The new record didn't last long.
 
The Herons picked up their sixth straight win with another record-breaker with 1,047 total pins against the Firebirds. Morgan and Jump both recorded 200 games, logging a 242 and 224, respectively.
 
Morgan stayed locked in against the Hawks with a 240.
 
William Smith got back in the win column against the Vikings with Gervais posting the second highest game in Heron history, a 248.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

• Carroll 4, William Smith 0

 
The tournament was originally scheduled for three days, but was shortened to two because of the winter storm crossing a large swath of the country. Instead of playing a full championship bracket on Sunday, the playoff was reduced to one best of seven Baker match for placing.
 
As the top two teams in total pinfall, William Smith (8561) faced Carroll (8757). The Pioneers eked out a one-pin win in Game 1, 193-192, and went on to sweep the Herons and take the title.
 
UP NEXT

• William Smith (37-24) will return to action Feb. 14-15 when the Herons compete in the AMCC Round Robin No. 2 hosted by Alvernia.