Marian University Athletics
2024-25 Top 10 Moments

#1 - Women's Bowling Wins First NCAA Tournament Match

The Marian University women's bowling program continued its dominating ways not only reaching the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season but earning its first win at that national tournament in program history.

Another dominating regular season saw the Sabres go 10-2 in CCIW play to earn its fifth straight CCIW Championship.  Three Sabres earned all-conference recognition from the CCIW highlighted by seniors Jocelynn Eggert and Brenna Schiekiera earning First Team recognition.  As the top seed of the conference tournament, Marian split the opening day of postseason action.  After a sweep of Carroll kept the season alive to open day two, Marian was able to easily handle Aurora to force a seventh match, best-of-seven Baker.  A dramatic one-pin victory in game two of the match helped put Marian ahead 3-1 but the Spartans were able to storm back and eventually tie the match at 3-3.  Marian trailed 102-75 through five frames in the seventh game of the seventh match before a season-saving four-bagger put Marian ahead 181-169 in the ninth.  Schiekiera was able to cap off the comeback adn give Marian a 190-189 win to clinch a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.

Marian was pitted against fellow NCAA Division III foe Saint Vincent College to open the NCAA Tournament.  Consistent scoring in the traditional format saw Marian defeat SVC in the first game of the mega-match 901-840.  A quick start to Baker saw Marian build a 67-pin advantage after two games, highlighted by a 256 in the second game.  Saint Vincent was able to trim its deficit to as little as 1 pins, but Marian was able to withhold the momentum shift with a 208 and take the Baker point 965-922.  Junior Kyley Olson led the way for the Sabres to earn their first NCAA Tournament win rolling a 208 in traditional and 256 in Baker.