ERIE, P.A. – The Medaille College women's bowling team hit the road for their third NCAA Tournament appearance. After winning the AMCC Championship for their fifth straight title, the Mavericks lost a close matchup with Mount St. Mary's before bouncing back with a win over Bowie State.

The format for the opening round of the tournament was a mega-match – meaning the opening frame would be played in Traditional, the second being Baker five-game total pinfall and the third, if necessary being Baker best-of-seven.

The Mavericks put on a strong team performance in the first game against the Mountaineers winning with a total pinfall of 959 to 918. Paige Herndon (Toano, VA, Warhill) was the top performer for Medaille with a 221. Taylor Strickland (Roslin, ON, Centre Hastings Secondary School) followed closely behind Herndon and recorded a 212. Sarah Radt (Orchard Park, NY, Orchard Park) put up a 199 and Kendyll Jaskier (West Seneca, NY, West Seneca East) added a 191.

The Mountaineers responded to the Mavericks in the second game Baker series. The Mountaineers caught fire early on and jumped out to a big lead. Medaille came up short in the match losing 889-1040. With the series tied at one game each, the Mavericks headed into a Baker best-of-seven for the tiebreaker.

The Mounties took the first three games winning 201-179, 195-139, and 202-176. The Mavericks charged back in the fourth game and made the most of their opportunities winning 245-209. Despite a great effort, the Mavericks lost the next game 189-203 which gave the Mountaineers a 4-1 win to drop Medaille to the loser's bracket.

Radt led the Mavericks in total pinfall (408) and Baker frame average (21.47). Herndon continued to play well rolling a 363 (19.10) with Jaskier adding a 311 pinfall. Mackenzie Smith (Burlington, ON, Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School) finished with a 249 (17.78).

In the second match of the day against Bowie State, the Mavericks continued to play their game and work as a team. Medaille pulled out an 818-774 win with Jaskier rolling the team-high of 179. Radt recorded a 168 with Herndon, Strickland, and Brianna Thurston (Sun Prairie, WI, Sun Prairie) all rolling in the upper 150's.

The momentum continued for the Mavs through the Baker match where they won 855-758. Herndon was the top bowler with a 183 total pinfall (20.33) followed by Jaskier with a 173 (19.22). Thurston added a 153 (17.00).

The Mavericks' win over Bowie State keeps their hope for a national championship alive. The next game for Medaille will be a rematch with Mount St. Mary's on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Rolling Meadow Lanes.