BY Kenneth Ekert
Staff Reporter
The Sacred Heart University women’s bowling team entered their 2018-19 season as the 2nd-ranked team in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll. They were also ranked 12th in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) preseason polls.
According to its website, the NTCA promotes NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Assocation) women’s bowling.
“I think that we are ranked accordingly for the talent that we have this year,” said senior captain Rebecca Armand.
The team began their season with their SHU Bowl for the Cure event, which took place on Saturday, Oct. 20, in East Haven, Conn.
“The SHU Bowl for the Cure is where we fundraise to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” said head coach Becky Kregling.
The event is intended to raise breast cancer awareness and to help those on the team who have been affected by the cancer.
“I think most people on the team have some connection to the disease,” said Armand.
Adelphi University of Long Island, ended up winning the Bowl for the Cure event for the second year in a row. According to the Adelphi athletics website, the team had four wins in five matches.
Despite the loss, Kregling and the team look to make use out of these fall tournaments in order to develop and enhance the bowlers’ playing abilities. They also use these events as momentum builders to ensure that they have a successful season.
“We have to get the new team dynamic down before we head into the spring and gain as much experience as possible,” said Kregling.
Armand and other members of the team share the same philosophy as Kregling does.
“We have been working so hard in practice to get each of us to a point where we can contribute and hopefully win matches against top ranked teams,” said Armand. “I am just excited to be able to experience this last year with this group of girls, and hopefully also have a great season record while we are at it.”
This year, the team has lost some key members from past seasons due to graduation, such as Amanda Nardiello. Nardiello was a Second Team All-American bowler. Despite these losses, the mindset for this season hasn’t changed and the team doesn’t let it affect their chemistry.
“Without her (Nardiello), everyone knows that they have to work a little harder and contribute a little more to make up for the loss of Nards,” said Armand. “We have the talent to do it.”
The team’s next competition will be in Rockaway, N.J., from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, for the Caldwell University Cougar Classic Bowling Tournament. Following that, they will head down to Glen Allen, Va, from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4, for the Virginia Union Invitational.