ERIE, Pa.—The William Smith bowling team finished fourth in the Mercyhurst Invitational to open the 2026-27 season over the weekend. The Herons played four traditional matches, four Baker matches and a Baker best-of-seven match, posting a 5-4 record against a field that included two nationally ranked teams.
 
Saturday Traditional Results

• vs. Le Moyne, W, 887-801
• vs. Roberts Wesleyan, W, 809-807
• vs. Hilbert, W, 889-776
• vs. No. 14 Niagara, L, 840-924

 
Senior Tiana Wolkiewicz bowled a 214 in the season-opening win over the Dolphins. She led the Herons on Day 1 with an average game score of 180.2, 10th in a field of 57 bowlers.
 
Sophomore Natalie Yale had William Smith's high games against the Redhawks and Hawks, posting a 171 and a 220, respectively.
 
First-year Emily Kringel stepped up with her best game of the day against the nationally ranked Purple Eagles, notching a 186.
 
Sunday Baker Results

• vs. Mercyhurst, W, 870-757
• vs. No. 16 Duquesne, L, 947-950
• vs. D'Youville, W, 889-807
• vs. Daemen, L, 902-926

 
William Smith's combined record of 5-3 put them in the tournament's third-place match against Daemen. The Wildcats took the first two games to seize control of the match. The Herons bounced back with a 214-169 win in Game 3. Daemen moved to within a game of clinching with a 197-170 win in Game 4. William Smith kept its hopes alive by taking Game 5 182-153, but the Wildcats secured third place with a 192-183 win on Game 6.
 
William Smith will be back in action Oct. 16-18 when the Herons compete in the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic hosted by Youngstown State.