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BEAVER TOWNSHIP -- The Youngstown State bowling team will continue the spring portion of its schedule this weekend when it heads to Jonesboro, Ark., to take part in the highly competitive Mid-Winter Invitational.
Ranked second in the nation in the most recent Division I coaches poll, head coach Doug Kuberski said this year's team has worked hard to become one of the nation's top kegler programs.
"This team is special because we have nine returnees from last year and along with just one freshman, we've built a strong nucleus," Kuberski told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday's weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center. "We have four juniors and three seniors out of 10 roster members, so this is an experienced team that has been through a lot of battles together.
"Our sophomores got acclimated to the culture that was developed a year ago while this year's lone freshman has done the same, so it's a special connection that we have together. They have this aura about themselves that no matter what happens, they are going to get through it and are going to come out on the other side and compete. It really is a fun vibe to be part of and definitely incredibly special."
Currently in his fifth season at the helm, Kuberski has led his team to its highest ever ranking.
They have grown exponentially since the fall.
"Fall was a great springboard for everyone," Kuberski added. "We had a home event where we finished second, which wasn't the start we were looking for. We lost the last match and had a lot to work on after that first event. We got after it and have been hungrier than ever. We learned from that and from some of the mistakes we made, including myself.
"We made the right adjustments and have been consistent ever since, which has given us the confidence we need in the spring."
Kuberski's roster includes a fifth-year student (Megan Grams), two seniors (Madyson Marx and Kirsten Moore), four juniors (Jade Cote, Madison Doseck, Ellie Drescher and Lyndsay Ennis), two sophomores (Hope Bunk and Hannah Miller) and Amanda Granata, the lone frosh.
"Megan [Grams] is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen," Kuberski said. "She works super hard on her game and is a great leader. The grandma of the team, as she is in her fifth season due to COVID, her energy is also special on the lanes as she has helped us get through the tough times."
Marx and Moore provide senior leadership.
"Madyson [Marx] thrives on pressure, someone who has done an excellent job over the past three years," Kuberski noted. "It seems like when things get tough, she gets tougher while Kirsten [Moore] is very much like Madyson. She will return for her fifth year, is a steady presence in our line-up and can bowl on any condition. She's a bowler who will figure it out while remaining even keel on the lanes."
Cote, Dosek, Drescher and Ennis provide a solid nucleus for the program moving forward.
"Jade [Cote] is from Canada, a student-athlete who has gotten acclimated to the states as well as our university and culture the past couple of years. She has emerged as a leader this year," Kuberski said. "Madison [Dosek] really didn't bowl a ton her first year and a half, came here with a lot of upside and this year is one of our high scorers. It has been a great transformation to watch. Ellie [Drescher] is one of the best spare shooters in the country, a rock solid bowler who is starting to put it together. Lyndsay [Ennis] is a firecracker, someone we like to put at the top of the line-up because she provides a big spark with her energy."
Though underclassmen, Bunk, Miller and Granata provide spark as well when in the lineup.
"Hope [Bunk} is a player who never gets rattled," Kuberski added. "She is so strong mentally, when everything is clicking for her she can strike for days. Hannah [Miller] has power, talent and is starting to put it together. Amanda [Granata] might be our only freshman but she hit the ground running, has really fit in with our culture and even added to it."
The Penguins expect to make a deep tournament run this spring.
"There are so many great teams out there, the top nine or 10 are very close while each can make a case to be No. 1 at the end of the year," Kuberski said. "It is going to come down to the minute details and we are doing well with those, just focusing on that area every day at practice. You cannot control the outcome so we'll focus on the process, the little details and hope by the end of April we are standing with a championship trophy."
Next week, Brittany Bissell, 21-WFMJ sports anchor will serve as guest speaker.
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