Led by successful performances, the Lady Rattlers bowling team earned third place during its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division match in Daytona. Now, it has set its sight on the MEAC Championship.
This was FAMU’s final conference tournament before Friday’s MEAC Championship. The Lady Rattlers finished 17-13 in conference play and 39-55 overall during the season.
The MEAC Championship will be held in Greensboro, N.C. at Gates City Lanes.
Team-captain Lauren Mathews said she was impressed with the way FAMU competed Saturday.
“As a team, we held up the Rattler name,” Mathews said.
The team competed against several established teams, including Norfolk State and Bethune-Cookman. Katherine Jones said teamwork was the key to faring well against its tough opponents.
“We really worked as a team instead of bowling individual high games we bowled collectively very well,” said Jones, a second-year psychology student. “I had the third-highest average of the tournament.”
FAMU overcame many difficulties this year. After losing veteran players and adding new members, team members said they are proud of their third-place finish. The Lady Rattlers, who had only three returning athletes from last season, added four athletes to the team roster.
Co-captain Janell Dykes said she plans to work on maintaining her energy during matches to be successful during the conference championship.
“This upcoming weekend, I am going to try to keep my energy up,” Dykes said.
The Lady Rattlers said they would be preparing for two teams during practice – Maryland Eastern Shore and Norfolk State.
“The major competition is University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Norfolk State,” Jones said. “They each hold the top spots in their respective regions.”
“We are bowling with Purpose, Focus, and Integrity,” Mathews said. “Going into the Championship, the team is focusing on becoming one.”
Jones said consistency would be an important factor during the championship.
“Spares and hitting our mark more consistently is every bowlers’ focus,” Jones said.
During the championship, the team must make it through two qualifying rounds in order to reach the finals.
“Our ultimate goal is doing our best. Holding one another up, keeping our minds open with peace,” Mathews said.