NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The LIU Brooklyn women's bowling team earned a third place finish overall at the Monmouth Hawk Flight Invitational this weekend, while also breaking a school record, twice, in New Jersey.
With Saturday and Sunday both featuring traditional match-ups, the team broke an LIU game record two times this weekend. The previous school record of 1112 was set during head coach Kayla Jones first year at the helm (2012-13).
On Saturday the No. 14 Blackbirds registered a 1115 during their win over host, No. 16 Monmouth. And on Sunday, the Blackbirds posted a 2-1 record on the day, and beat the game record in traditional format once again. The team scored a 1135 in their win over Franklin Pierce, 1135 to 961, setting the new school record.
After a successful first match for LIU, boosting them into third place, the team faced the second overall ranked team in play, No. 5 Sam Houston State. The Blackbirds defeated SHSU during traditional competition yesterday, but came up short this time in the beginning of best-of-seven baker play, three games to four.
In the final match of the Invite, LIU would face familiar competition, No. 16 Monmouth. This time it was a fight for the team that would take home third place rather than fourth. The Blackbirds would edged the Hawks, and hold onto third, by winning four games to two.
With 11 teams at Monmouth, the Blackbirds were able to face every team in attendance at least once, including the other three Northeast Conference schools at Carolier Lanes.
The Blackbirds, who finished 8-4 overall at Monmouth, will return to the lanes next weekend for NEC competition. NEC Meet No. 2 will take place in Wallingford, Conn. and will run from Saturday, March 5 to Sunday, March 6.
LIU's Hawk Invite Weekend Traditional Averages
Lauren McKowen - 250 average (750 pins for three games)
Natasha Bidwell - 220.83 average (1325 for six games)
Kristina Genova - 219.6 average (1097 for five games)
Alyssa Balicki - 210 average (1260 for six games)
Victoria Shufelt - 204.83 average (1229 for six games)
Madison Lukosius - 199.25 average (797 for four games)