NORFOLK, VA – The Monmouth University bowling team finished as the runner up and delivered its best performance in program history over the weekend at the 2021 MEAC Bowling Championships at Bowlero Chesapeake.
The Hawks, the No. 3 seed in the four-team tournament, defeated No. 2 Delaware State on both Saturday and Sunday to advance to Sunday's best-of-seven final against top seed and No. 4 nationally-ranked North Carolina A&T.
Monmouth jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the seven game series before the Aggies grinded out a 170-166 win in game three to turn the tide. North Carolina A&T evened the score with a 154-143 win in game four, took the lead in game five and had a six-pin advantage in game six to secure the title.
Camelia Coffman and
Skylar Smith represented Monmouth on the All-Tournament Team.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"We played with a lot of heart and focus. I'm very proud of our student-athletes and their perseverance amidst adversity. It wasn't the outcome we hoped for, but it was a positive learning experience for our team."
- Director of Bowling Karen Grygiel
- Monmouth's second-place finish was the best conference championship effort in school history.
- Monmouth defeated Delaware State 2-0 in Saturday's mega match format by winning a traditional match (937-894) and a baker total pinfall (1,005 – 992).
- The Hawks advanced to face North Carolina A&T in the winner's bracket, but fell 2-0 to the Aggies.
- Delaware State and Monmouth met again on Sunday morning where Monmouth won in traditional format (889-862) and best-of-seven (4-3) to advance to the championship match.
- Monmouth had four 200+ individual games over the weekend.
Camelia Coffman (247),
Skylar Smith (228) and
Jamie Phelan (212 & 208).
- The championship match will be shown on ESPNU on Sunday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.
- North Carolina A&T earns the MEAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Bowling Championship.
