The Virginia Union Lady Panthers bowling team, Delya White, Syiyanna Finch, Jkaiya Pope, Ashley Sharpe, Alexis Jackson, and Kiara Powell, stepped out of conference and traveled to the Coppin State Invitational Tournament in Baltimore for the first time.

"After a disappointing start to the conference schedule last weekend it was difficult to know how the young ladies would respond bowling against stronger competition at this tournament," said VUU Head Bowling Coach James Washington.  "But these young ladies did very well.  They bowled better than expected and several of the individuals really put on a show."

The tournament featured 16 teams and 110 bowlers, with some of them being the top in the country.  

"Everyone on the team really helped to propel us to two wins over St. Thomas Aquinas College and a win over Caldwell University," said Washington.  "The ladies started out slow on the first day but then found their groove the last three matches rolling team games of 814, 852, 832.  

"Despite finishing in 14th, I was very proud of how the team preformed and I am very confident it will carry over to our next conference event in January."
Individually we placed three girls in the top 50 of the 110 girls that bowled.  Ashley Sharpe 47th with a high game of 190 and an average of 172, Alexis Jackson 37th with a high game of 205 and an average of 180, and the MVP for Virginia Union University this weekend was Kiara Powell who rolled games of 202, 180, 244, 227, 230 averaging 216 and finishing second on the All-Tournament team. only 29 pins from being the top bowler in the tournament.  

"I was very proud of how Kiara performed, she really put on a show," Washington said.  

The Lady Panthers are off until January 24th when they will return home to host CIAA event #2 in Midlothian, Va.