KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The pieces are in place for Kutztown University women's bowling to return to the top of the East Coast Conference and make its second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three seasons. With a strong returning core supported by talented newcomers, the 2026-27 Golden Bears are eager to kick off the program's 20th anniversary season this weekend at their home tournament.
 
Kutztown is coming off its fourth consecutive 50+ win season after compiling a 57-31 record and reaching the semifinals at the newly configured ECC Championship, which featured RPI seeding and a mega match format.
 
Sophomore Madilyn Bogovic (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) authored one of the best debut seasons in program history last winter, rivaled only by KU hall of famer Kayla Jones. The Mechanicsburg, Pa., native racked up numerous awards, most notably National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Division II Rookie of the Year and All-America Second Team. Bogovic was also named to the NTCA All-Rookie Team while claiming ECC Rookie of the Year and All-ECC First Team honors.
 
Bogovic, a two-sport star that earned Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Freshman of the Year accolades in volleyball, led all Division II bowlers in traditional frame average (20.99), Baker frame average (21.27), strike percentage (54.6%) and Baker double percentage (57.0%).
 
Forming a dynamic first year duo with Bogovic was Isabella Hopper (Mifflinville, Pa./Berwick).
 
Hopper made an immediate impact, winning ECC Rookie of the Week after her first career tournament. She was one of the most relied upon bowlers for head coach Angela Reynolds, completing a team-high 579 traditional frames and more than 300 Baker frames. The sophomore from Berwick, Pa., finished her first year with a 19.08 traditional frame average and 17.72 Baker frame average to go along with one of the top Baker strike percentages (46.8%) on the team. Hopper was selected to the All-ECC Third Team and ECC Championship All-Tournament Team.
 
While the Golden Bears will also need to replace two all-conference players from a season ago, there are seasoned bowlers ready to take a step forward and make an impact in the lineup. Junior Miranda Pielhau (Waretown, N.J./Southern Regional) completed 200 Baker frames (16.78 average), while senior Brooke Heimbach (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) (18.21 average over 154 frames) and sophomore Ashley Kuster (Virginia Beach, Va./Tallwood) (17.90 average over 126 frames) put up solid numbers in their appearances. Pielhau also averaged better than 16 pins per frame in 126 traditional frames (16.07).
 
The team also has a breadth of upperclassmen, with four senior and two juniors accounting for six of the 12 bowlers on the roster. Joining Heimbach in the senior class are Natalie Conrad (Wyoming, Pa./Dallas), Kayla Mackney (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township) and Cassie Mockler (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley). Pielhau and Marissa Magill (Alburtis, Pa./Emmaus) are the juniors.
 
Coach Reynolds is also excited about the impact her freshmen can have on the team. This year's newcomers are Kylie Downing (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) from Corning, N.Y., Destinee Merritt (Marietta, Pa./Donegal) from Marietta, Pa., and Jenna Orris (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) from Harrisburg, Pa.
 
Kutztown, which won its first ECC title in 2024-25, was picked as this year's favorite when the league announced its Preseason Poll last month. The Bears received six of a possible eight first-place votes to top Molloy. Defending champion Bryant University departed the ECC as an affiliate member this past offseason and will compete as an independent in 2026-27. Bogovic was recognized as the ECC Preseason Bowler of the Year.
 
Reynolds added Bryant All-American Olivia Hillman to her staff as an assistant coach, giving the Golden Bears another voice that has enjoyed both individual and team success in collegiate bowling.
 
Kutztown opens the new season this weekend at the Golden Bear Invite at Lucky Strike Sinking Spring. The Bears will also take part in the Nittany Lion Cup and Jersey Jamboree during the fall portion of their schedule before returning after winter break. KU is still in the process of finalizing its post-holiday schedule.