BALTIMORE – The Coppin State women's bowling team begins the 2014-15 season at the Kutztown Fall Classic this Saturday, October 18.
The Eagles are coming off their best season in history, setting school records with 27 wins and 11 Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) victories. In its second consecutive record-setting season, the bowling team qualified for the MEAC tournament for the first time in program history.
The conference's head bowling coaches and sports information directors picked Coppin State to finish fifth this season with 48 points in the MEAC preseason poll released Wednesday afternoon. Defending conference champion Maryland Eastern Shore earned 17 first-place votes to top the MEAC Northern Division. Delaware State (93), Morgan State (67), and Howard (57) were selected to finish ahead of Coppin State.
James has four letterwinners returning as the Eagles look to return to the championship. Top returnees
Kristen Sharpe and
Kache Woods add championship experience and veteran leadership to the squad.
"I plan to go back to the MEAC championship and make a name for ourselves even more," Woods said. "When we got there for the first time, we didn't know what to expect. Now knowing what and who's out there, I plan to capitalize on it and make a difference for the school and the team."
Woods competed in 36 matches for Coppin State and averaged 161.4 pins per game. She recorded a season-high 221 game versus Mount Aloysius at the Kutztown Invitational. Overall, Woods finished with at least a 200-pinfall total three times and had 12 matches over 170.
As a junior, Woods is now ready to take on the responsibility of leading her team to victory.
"I remember what it's like to follow for those two years and now I have my chance to lead," Woods said. "It motivates me to be and do better for the team."
Sharpe made her mark with a 164.5 pinfall average, which was second on the team. She tallied a team-and game-high 246 pinfall at the first MEAC Northern Meet against Howard University. That total is the highest in program history. Sharpe also had four matches over 190 last season.
Both women were also tough competitors in the classroom, being named to the 2014 MEAC All-Academic Team and Commissioner's All-Academic Team.
The Eagles also have
Maribel Lovos and
Brionca Beard returning. They are expected to play a significant role in the Eagles' success this season. Lovos, who averaged a 96.6 pinfall in three matches, had a high game of 103 against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Beard averaged 120 pins in five matches. She knocked down 147 pins against Pitt-Bradford at the Kutztown Invitational.
With a year under their belts, Woods believes that Lovos and Beard are coming into their own.
"I see the transformation in the returning bowlers from last season," Woods said. "We'll go out to practice and things that didn't bother them much last year do now. They're more curious about why they didn't get something and are enthusiastic to get better."
The Eagles newcomers include
Shawdae Frederick and
Jasmine Newman. Thanks to great coaching, Woods can see the team's newest addtions getting better each day.
"The coaches have a foundation and know how to teach or coach the more inexperienced bowlers," Woods said. "They really know how to develop fundamental bowlers. It's great to see the team come up to a level where they're enthusiastic to learn about bowling and give their all."
Going into this weekend's competition, Woods wants the Eagles to stay positive and use the invitational as a step in the right direction.
"I hope that we stay optimistic and use this opportunity to learn what it'll take to be successful at MEAC divisional tournaments," Woods said. "The pressure can be unbearable for people that feel they aren't as experienced as the team next to them. I just want us to worry about our team, focus, and stay positive on what we're doing."
In the two-day event, Coppin State will spend Saturday competing in Baker matches starting at 11:15 a.m. The Eagles will face Saint Francis (N.Y.), Kutztown, Saint Francis (Pa.), Saint Peter's, New Jersey City, and Cheyney. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, the Lady Eagles will compete in five traditional team matches against Delaware State, Hampton, Salem International, Medaille, and Penn State Altoona.
Coppin State will be back on the road in two weeks for the FDU Jamboree in North Brunswick, NJ on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
