To the casual observer, a fifth-place finish among 11 teams in a conference tournament is considered to be a solid performance. But when the program is the N.C. A&T women’s bowling team, a fifth-place finish in the MEAC Tournament is not only sub par, it happens to be the lowest finish the team has had in its seven year existence. Indeed, the bar is always set high in Aggie bowling.

 Head coach Courtney Stith is optimistic about the upcoming season, which features four returning bowlers from last season. With two highly anticipated freshmen joining the roster, Stith can afford to rest an arm during matches, a luxury not afforded during all of last season with the NCAA minimum of five bowlers per team. “Having a sixth bowler is huge for our team strategy,” Stith said. When we came into matches with our five, our team faced a disadvantage because we weren’t always at our best, especially at the end of a two-or three day event. We saw teams that could switch one or two fresh bowlers during the tournaments and those teams posted more consistent scores.”

 Stith also experienced something new last season, a true “home” meet, the Aggie Women’s Invitational at the Aggies’ practice arena, Gate City Lanes, in western Greensboro. The event was a learning experience for the Aggies, who finished in 11^th place. This year, the invitational is one of three events scheduled on the Aggies’ home turf. In addition to a MEAC Divisional Competition, a MEAC Round-Up featuring all 11 teams will take place in Greensboro. The Round-Up is a first for the league, which has a North and a South division. “Having the Round-Up in Greensboro is huge for us this season,” said Stith. “In the past we were never guaranteed to see teams from the Northern Division until the [MEAC Championships]. Now everybody will bowl in one place, at one time, so we will get to see what kind of competition the league has.”  

 Regardless of the competition, Stith has confidence on her team of experienced bowlers. A pair of seniors, Danielle Hanna and Jamie Brungard, will likely serve as the lead and No. 2 bowlers. Hanna was the only Aggie to garner All-MEAC honors after posting a score of 894 pins at the MEAC Championships. Brungard bowled the team’s highest single game of 269 en route to a tournament high 231 average at the Le Tiger Classic in Houston. She finished with a 191 average in the regular season and bowled 200 or better six times last season.

 Also among the returnees is the reigning N.C. A&T Freshman Female Athlete of Year in sophomore Erica Johnson, who bowled 11 games of 200 or better in team-match play and finished the regular season with an average score of 180.  She also took home team rookie and most valuable player honors. Former volleyball player Shea Stark will return the team, this time for a full season. Stark filled in admirably when injuries beset the Aggies last year and her experience will be an asset to the squad.

 Incoming freshmen Shanitra Smith and Marlene Bennett are talented, experienced bowlers who have made their mark in the local lanes and club competition. Smith, a graduate of Smith High in Greensboro, has spent several years honing her talents in the Gate City Lanes and is very familiar with the Aggies, having watched them practice in the facility. Smith brings an interesting skill to the team – she’s left handed. “Having a lefty is a big advantage in the lanes,” said Stith. “The left-handed shot uses a side of the lane that is not broken down as much, so it is not uncommon for lefties to post high scores. Shanitra has been anticipating her arrival to us and will definitely be a part of our future success.”

 Bennett, a Brooklyn, New York native, will complete the Aggies roster. Bennett led her team to the Brooklyn II high school league playoffs last season with a 186.5 average and a high game of 224. “Marlene’s adjustment period from high school to college will not be as extreme like a typical freshmen,” said Stith. “She comes in having performed very well in a competitive high school league and comes to us with experiences that most freshmen will not have at the collegiate level.”

 Rather than say who would be the key performer, Stith quickly pointed out that the team is only as strong as its weakest bowler.

“I think the team is equally yoked to each individual performance,” she said. “Since we have only six bowlers, everyone should be on top of their game from the first roll to the last. Our two seniors are expected to be our leaders psychologically."

"They have not won a league championship since their freshman year, so I expect them to show that hunger and drive they had four years ago. They have the pressure knowing that this is their last hurrah, and they must leave all their effort on the lanes in order for the team to reach its potential. At the same time, our underclassmen and freshmen are just as important to the team."

"We must realize that the individual success will come with the team success, but not before. It’s all about our state of mind when we face the lane and the pins. There is no difference between this team and our past championship teams, talent-wise. This year, we need to put it all together, and the time to do that, is now.”