DEPTFORD, N.J. -- Seven matches against ranked opponents had the Kutztown University women's bowling team battle tested in advance of bracket play Sunday at the Northeast Classic. The Golden Bears prospered from their early weekend experiences, defeating Wagner, Wilmington (Del.) and Monmouth to place 23rd overall in a star-studded field at Bowlero Deptford.

The team of Alyssa Blood (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone), Ally Sipe (York, Pa./Central York), Megan Hanaway (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township), Madison Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York) and Chloe Sromovski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) was responsible for three 200+ games in quickly dispatching Wagner, 4-1, in best-of-seven Baker play. KU (23-20) won the first three games, highlighted by a 210 and match-high 218 in games two and three. The Seahawks avoided the sweep with a 176-144 victory in game four, but the Bears bounced back, 200-173, in game five to advance.

Both Wilmington and Monmouth are receiving votes in the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Poll, but with victories over both, Kutztown staked its claim as a team worthy of contention.

Jordan Dean (Manorville, N.Y./Eastport South Manor) joined the lineup with Sipe, Hanaway, Brenneman and Sromovski against Wilmington. The Wildcats came out hot with a 224 to capture game one, before Kutztown ripped off three wins in a row to gain the upper hand. The Maroon and Gold were back in the 200s twice in the series with a 214 in game three and a 201 in game four. Wilmington's second 200+ game extended the series to a sixth game, but the Bears emerged with a hard-fought 177-173 victory.

The only swap coach Angela Reynolds made heading into the Monmouth match was inserting Sydney Snyder (Morrisville, Pa./Conwell-Egan Catholic), but the results were much the same. Kutztown again dropped the opening game before winning three in a row. Monmouth would not roll over with its backs against the wall, however, pushing the series to seven games with a pair of wins. The Golden Bears did what they needed to in the deciding game, though, with a 160-135 win to take 23rd in the field of 33, which included 22 of the top 25 teams in the latest national poll.

Kutztown is scheduled to travel to New Castle, Del., for the Griffin Baker Classic hosted by Chestnut Hill, Feb. 4-5.