BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn women's bowling team kicks off the 2015-16 season this weekend at the Kutztown Invitational. The Blackbirds will head to Reading, Pa. to compete in the two-day tournament, from Saturday, Oct. 17 until Sunday, Oct. 18 at Berks Lanes.
The Blackbirds earned the No. 14 spot in the NTCA preseason poll for the second year in a row, which is their best rank in program history. Seven NEC teams were ranked in the NTCA poll.
LIU will be led by fourth-year head coach Kayla Jones. Jones has successfully led the Blackbirds to three straight NEC Tournaments, and was named NEC Coach of the Year her inaugural season. Jones guided LIU to a 58-46 record last season with wins over three top-ten teams, including eventual national champion, Nebraska.
The Blackbirds welcome two new members in 2015-16. Kayla Johnson, a freshman from Edison, N.J. and Lauren McKowen, a transfer from Central Missouri will join the Blackbirds this season.
"The two new girls we have added to the roster come with great experience on the lanes," Jones said. "The transition has been easy thus far."
LIU's roster will have many familiar faces this season, as it returns seven letterwinners from the 2014-15.
"After only losing one senior this past year, we have been able to pick up where we left off at the end of last year," Jones said.
Sophomore Kristina Genova, a three-time NEC Rookie of the Week last year, will be one of the returners for LIU. Genova ranked second on the Blackbirds roster last season with a 191.3 traditional average and a total pinfall of 3,327. The outstanding freshman campaign earned Genova All-NEC Rookie honors.
Also returning this season are junior Natasha Bidwell and sophomore Tori Burkins, who last year averaged 187.3 and 187, respectively.
Sophomore Victoria Shufelt recorded a 174.5 total average, and junior Madison Lukosius ranked fourth on the team with 62 strikes, while averaging 173.8 on the year.
Rounding out the squad are Alyssa Balicki and Marlee Tyler. Tyler had a frame average of 16.73 to start her college career, while sophomore Balicki was right behind her at 15.75.
The Blackbirds will be one of 21 teams in attendance at the KU Fall Invite, growing to a larger field than in previous years. But the atmosphere is a familiar one for the Blackbirds.
"[Berks Lanes] is one that the team has bowled at every year," Jones said. "This plays a big part in knowledge of how the lanes play, as well overall comfort in a bowling center that is not what we practice in."
The competition will begin on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 11:00am with six five-game baker matches. The tournament will conclude on Sunday after five traditional team matches.