DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., November 12, 2007 – North Carolina A&T bowling team lost three valuable seniors from last season’s team, but seem well on its way to replacing their output.

The Aggies went 3-2 in team match play and 2-3 in baker play at the first MEAC Southern Divisional Meet of the season hosted by Bethune-Cookman. Despite some nice performances from the newcomers, it was junior bowler Erica Johnson who led the way for the Aggies.

Johnson bowled three games over 200 and averaged 204.8 in team match play. Freshman Sarah Taylor bowled a 236 against Winston-Salem State and averaged out at 190.0 in team match play. Fellow freshman Tempestt Owens had game of 213 against Bethune-Cookman and finished with an average score of 173.8

“This year we took some homegrown talent,’’ said N.C. A&T head bowling coach Courtney Stith. “Since we started practice, all of those young ladies have shown great improvement in developing their knowledge of bowling.”

The Aggies defeated Winston-Salem State, Bethune-Cookman and S.C. State in team match play. In Baker play, the Aggies defeated S.C. State and Winston-Salem State quickly, and were involved in a tough battle against Bethune-Cookman.

The Aggies took the Wildcats to seven games in Baker play before the Wildcats outscored the Aggies 203-151 in the seventh game to earn the win.

“We don’t have what we had last year in terms of experience,’’ said Stith. “But this team is dedicated. I think the desire and the hunger to be the best is back in the program.”

The Aggies are back in action this weekend when they to Chicago to bowl in the Maverick Challenge hosted by MSU-Mankato.