Girls Bowling: Liezert's strong finish helps Rochelle defeat DeKalb

Lady Hub senior concludes series with 196 game in 2,615-2,321 victory

By Russ Hodges, Sports Editor
Posted 1/22/24

A new bowling ball and improved hooking techniques have allowed senior Kenzie Liezert to take a significant step forward for the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity bowling team this season.

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Girls Bowling: Liezert's strong finish helps Rochelle defeat DeKalb

Lady Hub senior concludes series with 196 game in 2,615-2,321 victory

Posted

ROCHELLE — A new bowling ball and improved hooking techniques have allowed senior Kenzie Liezert to take a significant step forward for the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity bowling team this season. Liezert emerged during the third game of the team’s match against DeKalb on Monday, firing five strikes and rolling a series-best 196 to help Rochelle defeat the Barbs 2,615-2,321.

“I definitely feel that I’ve improved at hooking the ball,” Liezert said. “I had a [Brunswick] Rhino last year and it didn’t have a lot of movement to it and I had to adapt to my new bowling ball which is the [Roto Grip] Exotic Gem. But I’ve learned how to hook the ball and get the ball to the pocket to be able to strike, which is something I struggled with last year. Since then, my scores have gone up and I’m really thankful for that because I can keep up with everybody else now.”

Liezert finished with a 478 series for the Lady Hubs (9-4, 5-2 Interstate 8), who will conclude the Interstate 8 schedule against LaSalle-Peru and Kaneland on Wednesday and Thursday. Junior Cassidy Vincent fired a team-high 496 series and senior Faith Adams rolled a 463 series for the Lady Hubs, who took the first game against DeKalb 907-760. Sophomore Kylie McCullough shot a 175, while senior Anahi Alanis scored a 173 and Adams added a 174 in the first game.

“I feel like our season has gone really well so far,” Liezert said. “Our scores were a little rough at first and we had more of a win-loss streak, but we’re on more of a winning streak now and we’re all doing really great… I think everybody gets along well with each other. We’ve done well at adapting, bringing everyone in and making them feel welcome. We all keep each other thinking positive and when someone’s doing bad, we do everything in our power to make them happy.”

While the Barbs claimed the second game 822-788 behind a 192 from Paige Lewis and a 171 from Mackenzie Condon, Rochelle maintained a series lead entering the third and final game, which Rochelle won 920-739 to clinch the nonconference victory. Vincent’s 169 was the high score for the Lady Hubs in the second game, while Liezert’s series-best 196 and Vincent’s series-best 177 paced the Rochelle side in the third game. McCullough concluded the match with a 455 series and Alanis finished two pins behind with a 453 series in the home victory.

“I’m hoping that we do well at conference and regionals,” Liezert said. “We just have to make sure we don’t let the stress get to us and we bowl our game. If we bowl our game, we’ll go far.”