SINKING SPRING, Pa. – Kutztown women's bowling overcame a tough start to rip off three straight wins, including one over 18th-ranked Mount St. Mary's, as the Golden Bear Invite commenced on Saturday at Berks Lanes.
 
Madison Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York) led KU (10-4) with a 197.8 average across all five matches, including a pair of 200+ games. She will be recognized as part of the All-Tournament Team after finishing with the third-best average among the 36 players that competed in all five of their team's matches.
 
Chloe Sromovski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial), last week's ECC Co-Bowler of the Week, averaged 185.6 (11th overall) and Alyssa Blood (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone) provided a much-needed lift with a 188.0 average after entering the lineup for the Bears' final three matches.
 
Kutztown got off to a solid start with a 911 score against Molloy, backed by a 236 from Sromovski, but the Lions were a touch better with a 934 to take the match by 23 pins. It was the second meeting in as many tournaments this season for the ECC foes who met in last year's conference semifinals.
 
Upstart program Alvernia slipped by the Bears by a mere six pins, 863-857, sending KU to an 0-2 start. Sromovski paced the Maroon and Gold once again with a 198, followed by Brenneman's 182 and a 171 from Ally Sipe (York, Pa./Central York).
 
Angela Reynolds team got on track in a big way with a 939-873 victory over Mount St. Mary's, which was ranked in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Preseason Poll. Brenneman carried the load with a 229 score and Blood supplied a 195.
 
Kutztown seemed invigorated after the big win, going on to defeat Chestnut Hill, 865-823, and Dominican (N.Y.), 898-608, to close out play. Blood topped 200 with a 213 to lead the way against Chestnut Hill. Brenneman rolled a 191 against the Griffins and put forth a 211 in the win over Dominican.
 
Kutztown sits third in the team standings after the first day of competition with a total pinfall of 4,470 (178.8 average). Mount St. Mary's holds the top spot at 4,695 (187.8) and Felician is second at 4,528 (181.1).
 
Prior to Saturday's matches, the women's bowling program honored its 2023-24 seniors
 
The Bears will face off against Morgan State, Caldwell, Coppin State and Felician in Baker seeding matches, Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m., before taking on an opponent to be determined in a best-of-seven Baker place match at 3 p.m.