HACKENSACK, N.J. – The 2017-18 women's bowling season gets underway for eight-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson this weekend at the McKendree Bearkat Open in Fairview Heights, Illinois from Friday to Sunday.
A LOOK BACK
Fairleigh Dickinson won the 2017 Northeast Conference Tournament after beating regular season champion Sacred Heart in the final. The title was the program's fourth conference title. The Knights also qualified for the NCAA Championships for the 12th time.
Melanie Hannon, who graduated last spring, was named the NEC's Scholar Athlete of women's bowling. Hannon was also named Third Team All-American by the NTCA, NEC Tournament MVP and to the All-Tournament Team; as was graduating senior
Morgan Brown.
Karsyn Lukosius returns for the Knights after earning Third Team All-American by the NTCA. The senior was also named Second Team All-NEC last season.
NTCA PRESEASON POLL
The Knights are ranked eighth in the first National Tenpin Coaches Association poll for the 2017-18 season. Fairleigh Dickinson was the highest ranked team from the Northeast Conference, one spot ahead of Sacred Heart.
NEC PRESEASON POLL
Three different teams received at least two first-place votes – Fairleigh Dickinson, Sacred Heart and Saint Francis U. Saint Francis U got the top spot in the poll and collected three first-place votes in the process. Both Sacred Heart and Fairleigh Dickinson received two first-place votes, however, the Pioneers edged the Knights on total points to take second and the Knights settling in third.
NEWCOMERS
The 2017-18 edition of the Knights features five newcomers; true freshmen –
Amanda Chrzanowski,
Deborah Epps,
Jenna Henderson and
Aimee Sherman – and one transfer
Brianna MacLeod from Delaware State.
THE SCHEDULE
The Knights visit the McKendree Open this weekend for the first time ever. The Knights then host the annual FDU NJ Jamboree November 3-5. Trips to Wisconsin Whitewater and western Pennsylvania for the NEC Fall Meet conclude the 2017 portion of the schedule.
Fairleigh Dickinson hosts a quad match on January 15 to kick off 2018. Reading, Pennsylvania, Arlington, Texas and Houston Texas plus a trip to Long Island for the second NEC meet follow for te Knights.
The Knights then make the trip down to south Jersey for the Monmouth Invitational plus hosting one more quad match in March prior to the NEC Tournament on March 23, 24 in Howell.
