ROCHELLE — A well-rounded effort enabled the Rochelle Hubs to score an Interstate 8 Conference win during their varsity bowling match against Ottawa on Tuesday evening.

All six starters turned in a 500-plus series score for the Hubs, who took down the Pirates 3,348-3,098 at T-Byrd Lanes for their first home conference win of the season. Sophomore Bryson Stewart led the way for Rochelle, using his two-handed style to earn a team-best 591 series. Senior Logan Frye followed with a 570 series to help lead Rochelle over Ottawa.

“I was hitting my mark and the ball I was using really helped,” said Stewart, who has moved up to the varsity level after bowling at the JV level last season. “Tips from my coach really helped, too… I left a lot of open frames last season, but I’m definitely making a lot more spares this season. I want to become more accurate and consistent. Our team is very uplifting and we hold each other up. If one person makes a bad shot, we always try to encourage that person.”

Rochelle opened the match with an 1,178-1,122 win over the Pirates in the first game, where sophomore Luke Norris rolled a 217 and freshman Josef Alanis added a 213. Norris finished with a 542 series and Alanis totaled a 535 series for the Hubs, who also received a 202 from junior Declan McGee in the opening game. McGee recorded a 565 series on the Rochelle side.

“What was working for me was that I was eventually able to find where to throw my ball,” said McGee, who earned limited varsity experience last season. “Once I was locked in, I was able to get the ball to my spot and make it back to the pocket. This team is pretty balanced. We’ve had a few kids jump up from JV to varsity, but everyone stays close together. Our scores stay pretty close together and even though we’re improving pretty rapidly, we’re still staying close together.”

The Hubs extended their series lead with a 1,045-999 victory in the second game, where Frye shot a 202 to earn the high score on the Rochelle side. Rochelle (3-6, 2-2 Interstate 8) clinched its sweep with a decisive win in the third game, beating the Pirates 1,116-977 behind a 221 from Stewart and a 222 from junior Caleb Mortensen, who rolled a 543 series in Tuesday’s victory. Rochelle will return to T-Byrd Lanes for a home match against Sterling on Thursday evening.

“I like the overall balance we have right now,” Mortensen said. “I got a little lucky during my last game because I was struggling in my first two games, but I started to release the ball better in my last game. I’ve improved my consistency from last year and I want to be more consistent.”