Elk Grove's Ray rolls 277
Monday's Mid-Suburban League girls bowling meet at AMF Lanes in Rolling Meadows proved to be a record-setter for Elk Grove's Sarah Ray and the Barrington Fillies.
Ray bowled her best-ever game, a 277, as the Grens took over sole possession of first place with a victory over rival Prospect, while Barrington in only its third season won their first match in program history.
“This was all about the team tonight,” said Fillies senior Jazlynn Skor as the Fillies outpointed Hersey 5-4.
Beverly Dines led Barrington with a 202 game.
“We actually didn't bowl our best,” said Barrington coach Sam Raia, “but we had a great first game (762 total).”
Elk Grove rolled a 3,240 total to edge the Knights 7-2 in a battle of teams tied for first in the MSL.
Whitney Schmidt of Prospect fired the evening's top series (695), while Ray flirted with 300, rolling 8 consecutive strikes to begin her second game of the night before missing with a 7-spare in the ninth frame.
“It was exhilarating,” said Ray, a senior who helped the Grenadiers post a state-tourney appearance last season. “When the (277) game was over, I actually burst into tears. People were coming from 5-6 lanes over to congratulate and high-five me.”
“I was nervous coming in, because I knew how good Prospect was.This was a great win.”
Mariah McVay fired a 258 Monday game Monday, but Jennifer Weber's 585 series helped Fremd defeat the Bison 7-2.
Rolling Meadows defeated Conant as Paula Noh was outstanding with a 678 series and 256 game, while Hoffman Estates moved into third place, just behind Elk Grove and Prospect.
The Hawks defeated Schaumburg 7-2 as Ashley Femrite bowled a 605 series, while Kailey Schlosser (203 game) and Liz Saffold (201) gave big assists.
“Our team is awesome,” said Saffold, a senior who recently signed a letter of intent to attend Vanderbilt University and bowl for the Commodores. “We've been bowling so well lately.”
Saffold's impressive performance at a meet earlier in the year in Bloomington Illinois was noted by Vandy and led to the recruitment.
“I went to visit the university in September and fell in love with the place,” said Saffold.
Saxons senior Jodi Gawlik rolled games of 236 and 234 enroute to a 671, while Samantha Tres led Hersey, a tough-luck loser to the Fillies by only 25 pins in the overall score, with a final game of 225, her top career game.
“This was a new high for me,” said Tres, who connected on 6 consecutive strikes in her final game. “I was concentrating and hitting my marks.”
“It's a great feeling. It's almost surreal.”