Rochelle looking to build on 9-7 record last winter

ROCHELLE — Nearly the entire starting lineup is back in action for the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity bowling team this winter. After finishing 9-7 overall and reaching the IHSA Sectional level last season, head varsity coach Eric Widick has high hopes for the Lady Hubs this season.

Rochelle held its first practice of the 2023-24 season on Monday. The Lady Hubs will open the season with an Interstate 8 home meet against Sycamore on Nov. 28 before traveling for their first road match against LaSalle-Peru on Nov. 30. Rochelle will compete in multiple tournaments including the Jefferson Invitational on Dec. 2 as well as the Cavalier Classic on Dec. 9, the Charles Butterfield Invitational on Jan. 13 and the Sterling MLK Tournament on Jan. 15.

“We have five of our players back from last season,” Widick said. “We have a great core and our returning girls have been very active in recruiting. We’re looking forward to the season and we’re excited that we have 11 players on our roster… Having extra bowlers will give us more options and I think that will help our girls improve because they will be able to push each other.”

Junior Cassidy Vincent headlines Rochelle’s returning varsity bowlers. Vincent has been the top bowler for the Lady Hubs in each of the last two seasons, where she’s earned All-Conference honors and been an IHSA sectional qualifier. Sophomore Kylie McCullough also returns after receiving an All-Conference Honorable Mention in the Interstate 8 during the 2022-23 season.

“I’d like us to be more competitive and more consistent during our tournaments,” Widick said. “I think we have a chance of finishing in the top two or three in the conference standings. I want to see the girls improve from where they were last season and the biggest thing I want to see is consistency. If we can throw the ball consistently, we can make the little tweaks we need.”

Seniors Faith Adams, Anahi Alanis and Makenzie Liezert are also back in action for the Lady Hub varsity team this season. Rochelle’s schedule includes 16 head-to-head matches as well as the Interstate 8 Conference tournament at Mardi Gras Lanes on Jan. 29. The IHSA State Series will begin with the IHSA Regionals, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 ay 9 a.m.

“Cassidy and Kylie will be our frontrunners this season, but I was really impressed with the way some of our other girls improved throughout last season,” Widick said. “Anahi, Makenzie and Faith showed a lot of improvement and I think they’ll continue on that trajectory this year. We made it to the sectional last season and I’m hoping we can make it back to sectionals again.”