EAST HAVEN, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's bowling team opened the 2023-24 season by going 7-3 at the SHU Bowl for the Cure, hosted on Saturday and Sunday by the Pioneers at the AMF Circle Lanes in East Haven, Conn.

The Pios kicked off the tournament on Saturday with a 2-3 record over five baker matches. Sacred Heart bounced back big on Sunday, going a perfect 5-0 in the traditional format. 

SHU picked up wins in the backer format on Saturday over both Northeast Conference (NEC) rival LIU (865-854) and Saint Anselm (945-813). On the other hand, Sacred Heart dropped matches against Bryant, No.24 Merrimack and Adelphi, the latter being a heart-breaking 850-848 defeat. 

The Pios bounced back in a big way on Sunday, winning all five traditional matches to take the top spot on the day. SHU kicked off the day with an 885-757 win over Adelphi before topping Saint Anselm, 857-843, in the second match. The Pioneers then defeated NEC foes LIU (806-749) and Wagner (848-747). SHU's Sunday was capped by a thrilling 898-894 win over Bryant. 

Individually, Paige Donovan was the lone Pio to play in all five matches on Sunday, leading the team with an 184.80 average. Five Sacred Heart bowlers played in three matches on day two, with Megan Prettyman pacing the group with a 174.33 average. First year's Karleigh LeMond (166.33), Madilyn Yockel (166.33) and Emma Jones (189.00) all made their collegiate debuts Sunday. In total, 12 Pioneers competed this weekend. 

LeMond was named to the All-Tournament Team after posting two strong days of play. The first year led all players with a 20.29 frame average in the baker format on Saturday. 

Sacred Heart will return to action for the three-day Destination Florida tournament, hosted by the Pioneers on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 27-29, in Orlando, Fla. The Destination Florida event will feature 20 teams, 11 of which are nationally ranked including defending national champions Vanderbilt. 

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Baker Format
Match 1: 850-848 Loss vs. Adelphi
Starting lineup: Rachel Glowniak, Morgan Brunet, Madilyn Yockel (Sub. Karleigh LeMond), Megan Prettyman, Hannah Manetta
Highlight: First year's Yockel and LeMond combined for the highest 10-frame score of 185.

Match 2: 865-854 Win vs. LIU
Starting lineup: Hannah Manetta, Morgan Brunet (Sub. Rae Valt,) Megan Prettyman (Sub. Molly Chiesa), Karleigh LeMond, Rachel Glowniak 
Highlight: LeMond highest 10 frames with 207 and 6-of-10 strikes.
 
Match 3: 908-893 Loss vs. Bryant 
Starting lineup: Rae Valt (Sub. Paige Donovan), Madilyn Yockel, Molly Chiesa (Sub. Megan Prettyman) (Sub. Morgan Brunet), Karleigh LeMond, Rachel Glowniak
Highlight: Yockel was the high scorer with six strikes and 226.
 
Match 4: 945-813 Win vs. Saint Anselm
Starting lineup: Paige Donovan, Hannah Manetta, Morgan Brunet (Sub. Ryann Greene), Madilyn Yockel, Karleigh LeMond
Highlight: Donovan high scorer with 202 for 10 frames.

Match 5: 951-897 Loss vs. No. 24 Merrimack
Starting lineup; Hannah Manetta, Ryann Greene (Sub. Rachel Glowniak), Paige Donovan, Madilyn Yockel, Karleigh LeMond
Highlight: LeMond was the high scorer with 206 for 10 frames. 

Traditional Format
Match 1: 885-757 Win vs. Adelphi
Starting lineup: Paige Donovan, Megan Prettyman, Madilyn Yockel, Karleigh LeMond, Rachel Glowniak
 
Match 2: 857-843 Win vs. Saint Anselm
Starting lineup: Paige Donovan, Megan Prettyman, Karleigh LeMond, Morgan Brunet, Emma Jones

Match 3: 806-749 Win vs. LIU
Starting lineup: Paige Donovan, Megan Prettyman, Molly Chiesa, Madilyn Yockel, Hannah Manetta

Match 4: 848-747 Win vs. Wagner
Starting lineup: Paige Donovan, Molly Chiesa, Madilyn Yockel, Morgan Brunet, Rachel Glowniak

Match 5: 898-894 Win vs. Bryant
Starting lineup: Paige Donovan, Molly Chiesa, Karleigh LeMond, Morgan Brunet, Hannah Manetta