Sophomore bowlers Alyssa Mickley and Alyssa Schwanert rolled their highest series scores of the season on Wednesday, when the Lady Hubs defeated Ottawa 2,486-2,193 for their first victory. Rochelle (1-10) snapped its 10-match losing streak with the win over the Pirates at Dettore's Town Lanes.
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OTTAWA — Sophomore bowlers Alyssa Mickley and Alyssa Schwanert rolled their highest series scores of the season on Wednesday, when the Lady Hubs defeated Ottawa 2,486-2,193 for their first victory. Rochelle (1-10) snapped its 10-match losing streak with the win over the Pirates.
Ottawa started the series with an early lead, taking the first game 712-683 behind 176 from McKenzie Lewis. Mickley and Schwanert delivered big performances for Rochelle in the second game, with Mickley shooting 220 and Schwanert following with 214 to help the Lady Hubs claim the game 921-743. The win put Rochelle ahead in the series count entering the final game.
"I was really proud of our team because we've put a lot of effort in this season," Schwanert said. "I was finally lifting through my shots and keeping my form straight. I was really focused and shooting 214 was really exciting for me. I definitely have more confidence going into our next few meets because we know we're capable of winning and having fun while doing what we love."
Three sophomores including Mickley, Schwanert and Anna Samo came through at the end of the match, leading the Lady Hubs over Ottawa 882-738 to win the third game and take the series. Mickley rolled 203 to finish with a season-high 582 series, while both Schwanert and Samo scored 180 for Rochelle. Schwanert also ended the evening with a season-best series total, knocking down 549 pins.
"It felt really good because everybody bowled really well," Mickley said. "Everybody was happy and we were cheering each other on... I was really focused and what I was doing in the moment. I wasn't thinking ahead and I wasn't thinking about my score. Having my teammates there to cheer me on was really fun. The win really boosts our confidence and we know now that we can win."
Streator
The Lady Hubs nearly won for the second time in two days when Rochelle hosted Streator on Thursday. The Lady Hubs took the first game before the Bulldogs fought back in the match, claiming the second and third games to win the series by a slim margin (2,414-2,320) and drop Rochelle to 1-11 overall. Alyssa Mickley shot a 498 series with a high score of 179 for Rochelle, while Alyssa Schwanert added a 459 series and a high game of 178.
Mickley led the Lady Hubs in the opening game, rolling 171 to help Rochelle top the short-handed Bulldogs 764-720. Streator overcame Mickley's 179 and Schwanert's 178 in the middle game with an 824-802 victory behind Hallie Ligori's 202, but the Bulldogs still trailed by 22 pins entering the final game.
Streator had only five bowlers for Thursday's match, but the Bulldogs found a way to finish strong, winning the final game 870-754 and taking the series in the end. Gabby Pickens fired 194 for Streator and ended the evening with a match-leading 506 series.
Belvidere
Alyssa Schwanert rolled a 200 game to start her series when the Lady Hubs faced Belvidere on the road Tuesday evening. Schwanert led Rochelle with a 448 series, but the Lady Hubs were unable to snap their losing streak, falling 2,585-2,030 and dropping to 0-10 overall.
Milani Olson shot 214 and propelled Belvidere to a 861-738 victory in the opening game. Schwanert's 200 and sophomore Carly Summers' 144 were the high games for Rochelle. The Bucs took the second game 761-646 before claiming the final game 963-646 to sweep the series. Olson fired 215 and Danielle Heinz added 201 for Belvidere in the third game, while Hailey Schloskey chipped in 186.