RUSTON, La. – The Prairie View A&M women's bowling team finished sixth in team standings during the La Tech Invitational this past weekend at the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center, putting a bow on the season-opener.
"This weekend's competition was a great opportunity to gage where we are as a team," PVAMU Head Bowling Coach Glenn White said. "We did well in some aspects of our game but it also helped to identify areas that we need to address. We performed well on tough lane conditions, but we have to continue to work on our mental game and improve on understanding how to finish strong."
PVAMU finished the weekend with a 3-4 record following a Sunday setback versus No. 19 Tulane. In a lengthy battle that went seven games, the Lady Panthers nearly overcame a 0-3 deficit versus the Green Wave in the tournament's fifth-place match.
After Tulane surged ahead with game results of 197-240, 141-205 and 149-190, Prairie View A&M regrouped with a 194-183 win in game four to stave off a sweep. The Lady Panthers then nipped Tulane 194-193 and forced the deciding final game with a 177-156 decision in game six.
However, the Lady Panthers were unable to complete the comeback as the Green Wave escaped with a 158-161 win.
Although an up and down weekend overall, each of the Lady Panthers' victories came over ranked opposition, an encouraging sign for the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference Champions.
The Lady Panthers captured wins from No. 7 Stephen F. Austin (907-835), No. 21 UAB (910-870), and Tulane (917-810) and pushed eventual tournament winner and No. 5 Sam Houston State to the brink during Baker match play earlier in the tournament.
"Every match we played, we had an opportunity to win," White said. "We're still virtually a young team with no true seniors, and I'm confident that we have a group that is willing to do the things necessary to improve. Competing and winning against teams ranked above us is a good sign for our future."
Patricia Rosales led the Lady Panthers through the tournament, finishing eighth in individual standings with an average of 200.75. She posted three games of 200 or better. In all, three PVAMU student-athletes finished in the top 20 for individual standings: Rosales, freshman Cheyenne Washington (16th; 187.75 average) and junior Crystal Cline (18th; 186 average).
The Lady Panthers will next compete in the Sam Houston-hosted Track Kat Klash in Houston from Friday, Nov. 20, to Sunday, Nov. 22.
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