MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Fayetteville State University's bowling team placed fifth at the Virginia Union Invitational, held Oct. 30-Nov. 1, competing against a talented field that included Grambling State, Texas Southern, Howard, Coppin State, Belmont Abbey, Florida A&M, Wilmington, and Holy Cross.
The Broncos opened the tournament with Baker play on Friday, finishing with a 1-4 record. Fayetteville State dropped close matches to Grambling State (863-834), Texas Southern (875-850), Coppin State (768-765), and Walsh (775-710), while earning its only victory of the day with an 876-871 win over Howard. The Broncos averaged 807 pins during Baker competition.
On Saturday, Fayetteville State rebounded during traditional team play, posting a 4-1 record and averaging 812.8 pins per match. The Broncos fell to Belmont Abbey, 886-721, in the opening match before responding with four consecutive victories. Fayetteville State defeated Florida A&M, 910-829, Wilmington, 840-735, and Holy Cross, 854-696, while also receiving a bye during the second round.
Bailey Matthews and Nicole Sarko paced the Broncos during traditional play. Matthews rolled an 858 total pinfall with a 171.6 average, while Sarko added an 855 total and a 171.0 average. Kimberly Bornt averaged 160.0 over five games with an 800-pin total, Janari Aiken posted a 777 series and a 155.4 average, and Laniya Mitchell contributed a 774 total with a 154.8 average.
Entering bracket play on Sunday, Fayetteville State secured a fifth-place finish after posting a 2-1 match record in best-of-seven Baker competition. The Broncos defeated Texas Southern in the opening round, winning the match 4-3 after totaling 1,245 pins to Texas Southern's 1,160. Fayetteville State but lost to Belmont Abbey 3-4 even with a 1229-1187 pin-fall.
The Broncos closed the tournament against Texas Southern with a 4-1 win in the final round.
Fayetteville State finished the weekend with a fifth-place team finish and showed resilience throughout the three-day event, bouncing back from a challenging opening day to win six of its final eight matches and secure a spot among the tournament's top five teams.
The Broncos will head to Wilson, NC from November 6-8th to compete in the CIAA Event I being hosted by Shaw.
