UPIKE women’s bowling finishes as back-to-back National Runner-Up
0By Fallon Tallman
The Women’s UPIKE bowling team made history in Reno bowling in the xBowling Intercollegiate Team Championship. The competition, consisting of 16 teams that qualified from sectional placing in the top four at each sectional, started Wednesday, April 18. The women had to first bowl 24 baker games.
After the 24 baker games, the ladies placed eighth in seeding. In their first match, they took on Maryland Eastern Shore, the 2013 national champions, and beat them.
“I am really proud of my team. As along as we believe in yourselves and your teammates, we can achieve anything,” said KT Simpson, sophomore.
Then, the Bears took on Grand View, the fifth seed, playing them twice, defeating them and kicking them out of the tournament. For the second straight year, the women’s bowling team made it to the national championship, the final two. Taking on Robert Morris in finals, the team fell to Robert Morris, 0-3.
“ I can’t have asked for a better four years. Making it to nationals and being in the final two the last two years is amazing,” said Ashley Copley, senior.
They placed second in the national tournament. Simpson and Brianna Larson were awarded ITC All-Tournament Team. Simpson also won MVP, the first time a Bear has won the honor since Ashley Galente in 2008.