BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn bowling team is ready to begin the 2018-19 season this weekend at Kutztown's Bud Whitman Invitational. The Blackbirds will head to Berks Lanes, just outside Reading, Pa. to compete in the two-day tournament, from Saturday, October 13 to Sunday, October 14.
The Blackbirds, ranked No. 19 this year in the NTCA preseason poll, are coming off the best season in program history, with a school record 75 wins and a second place regular season finish in the Northeast Conference. LIU had a final win percentage of .630 , the first time the team eclipsed .600, which included an 11-7 mark in NEC matches. With that record, they earned a first round bye in the NEC Championship for first time in school history. Along the way, head coach Kayla Jones' team had four wins against top five nationally-ranked teams, including one against eventual national champions Vanderbilt.
LIU will have a young squad in 2018-19, with only two upperclassmen among the seven-member team, with senior Kayla Johnson (19.02 traditional frame average) and junior Tyler Karpinecz (18.54 traditional frame average) leading the way. The duo will have to fill the void left by last year's four seniors: Lauren McKowen (a three-time All-NEC selection), Kristina Genova, Alyssa Balicki and Marlee Tyler.
"We're fortunate to have Kayla and Tyler take the lead now and keep it rolling," said Jones. "In the last two years, we've graduated seven players, so Kayla and Tyler have had a lot to learn from. Now, they're ready to give it back. Both of them made big strides last year and there's every reason to expect it to continue this year."
The team's three returning sophomores: Sarah Florence, Kellie Frain and Stephanie Judkins are also ready to be thrust into the spotlight in year two, after each of them shined at different points during their freshman season. Frain (18.20 traditional frame average) was named NEC Rookie of the Week once in November, while Florence was a consistent contributor all season long and Judkins played well during the 2018 NEC Championships.
"As freshmen, all three got to experience a significant amount more playing time than most first-year players," Jones said. "They're a powerful trio and ready to take the next step, playing in every match."
Two new players are set to debut this weekend: sophomore Jennifer Roback, a transfer from Division III Hilbert College, and the team's lone freshman, Jacqualyn Ciprello, a New York City native from Staten Island.
"Jenn is our first transfer since Lauren three years ago," Jones said. "She comes with a little experience in college, but many new ideas, which is great for the growth of our program. Jacqualyn has easily transitioned to the demanding bowling schedule we have here. I'm excited to see what they each can bring when we start playing this weekend."
KUTZTOWN BUD WHITMAN INVITATIONAL PREVIEW
The Blackbirds have been very successful at the KU Bud Whitman Invitational, earning tournament runner-up status on both days of the two-day event last year. In fact, LIU has played to a spotless 5-0 mark on day one in two of the last three seasons at the event, held at Berks Lanes, near Reading, Pa.
"Berks is a place our team knows very well," Jones said. "We will be there three times this season. The fact that we're comfortable there and the knowledge of how the lanes play should benefit us in the long term this season. We can't wait to get started."
The competition will begin on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 11:00 a.m. with six five-game baker matches. The tournament will conclude on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. with five traditional team matches.