The girls bowling team is coming into this year with a new attitude and focus. This team is looking for bigger and better things than in years past. In order for this team to be successful, they will have to rely on its senior leadership.

“I think we’ll have a real strong team this year,” head coach Grant Vermeer said. “We only have seven girls on the team this year, so they’ll play a vital role in all of our matches. I think the girls have a good shot this year at winning conference. Last year they had a good season, and they’ve had a year to improve and get better on specific things.”

Members of the team will certainly echo the expectations for this year. Senior Maddie Junkunc will be the first to tell you about the goals this team has set for the season.

“This season, I’m most excited for hopefully going to states,” Maddie said. “We’ve been working since freshman year to go to states, and we haven’t made it yet. Hopefully, we will this year.”

One of the big reasons the team is headed in the right direction is because of their second year coach.

“We’ve been taking bowling a little more seriously now that I started coaching,” Vermeer said. “They’ve all definitely improved a lot, and I think we’ll have a pretty good team this year. It’s been a few years since the girls team won conference, so I’m excited to see if they can.”

The team has a long road to get to conference but with teamwork and drive, the goals are certainly within the team’s reach.

“We need to always lifting each other up,” Maddie said. “We’ve got to make sure we get those strikes and spares.”

The lady Rangers open the season on December 7th at home at Eastbrook lanes against Ottawa Hills at 3:30pm.

“It’s a pretty mental sport,” Vermeer said. “If it gets to your head, it’s really hard to perform. Keeping a cool head and really working on specific shots is gonna be key.”