McVay, Buffalo Grove roll to victory
Buffalo Grove has struggled this season, but bowlers Mariah McVay and Molly Jackson have done all they could with averages in the MSL's top 20.
Monday night, a strong performance from McVay led the Bison to a well-earned victory.
The sophomore's 544 series helped lead BG to a 7-2 triumph over Wheeling, while Schaumburg, Conant, Hoffman Estates, Palatine and Prospect all scored wins.
"It's been frustrating," said McVay of BG's slow start, "but we've been working hard, listening to our coach (Jean Tripam) and giving it our all."
The Bison have seven seniors on their squad, including standout Jackson, and that means a lot to McVay.
"They keep our spirits up," said McVay. "Next year is going to be a lot more difficult without them."
Julie Thomas of Schaumburg rolled the high series (695) of the evening as the Saxons (36-0) stayed perfect atop the Mid-Suburban League standings by defeating Hersey.
"We're a high-energy team," said Schaumburg junior Cheryl Halas, "and we all get along really well."
Halas, who earned some valuable experience as an alternate at last year's state tournament, said the Saxons are working hard to make a return trip to the state finals.
"That's our focus," said the junior.
Hoffman Estates scored a hard-fought win over previously undefeated Elk Grove as Kailey Schlosser had the night's top game, a 248.
The Grens (31-5, 2nd in the MSL) won 2 of 3 games but Hoffman's cumulative pinfall of 2,864 just edged EG's total of 2,853.
"We're a team that stays strong together," said Grens sophomore Tedra Tado, who fired games of 235 and 224 enroute to the evening's second best series (644). "Expectations are high, and there's some pressure on us, but that can be a good thing."
Palatine's Becca Ruegger (215 game) led the Pirates over Rolling Meadows but the Mustangs remained in third place in the league, tied with the Hawks, Conant and Prospect. All four teams have 25-11 records.
Katia Smith and Becca Arden rolled 206 games for Meadows, Jennifer Schmitt (524 series) led the Wildcats, Amanda Hampe's 221 game led Hersey, while Samantha Rossdeutcher delivered a 232 game for Fremd.
Three games over 200 from Whitney Schmidt helped give Prospect a 9-0 win over the Vikings, while Conant's Stephanie Vura, who came into the night third in the MSL with a 205.89 average, scored a 214 in her first game.
"I didn't feel that I bowled my best tonight in games two or three," said Vura, whose Cougars bested Barrington. "But the great thing is the other people on my team were there to pick me up."