WINTER SPORTS SPECIAL: GIRLS BOWLING READY TO STRIKE AGAIN

Haynes, Stephen. 

Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 23 Dec 2012: 

Two years ago, East Islip rocked the Suffolk Tournament with a record-setting performance and went on to take third in the state championships. Last season, the Redmen led Long Island – girls and boys – in average and finished second in states.

So, expectations for this season? Parity.

“This may be the best, most competitive year we’ve ever had in Suffolk,” East Islip coach Harold Cooley said. “That’s a testament to how good all these other teams have gotten.”

East Islip still is the favorite, led by three-time All-Long Islander Lena Sorrentino (204), along with Olivia Lopera (209), Kelsey Fryer, Jordan Kruger and Nichole Baione.

But a true threat to the throne is Middle Country, the current leader with a 1,010 average. Its headlined by superstars Kelly Skalacki (225), Melissa Sherwin (220) and Amanda Tyrell (205).

Longwood, which took third, is led by All-Long Islander Brianna Meyer and the Spillett sisters, Kylie and Brielle.

Longwood 3, Patchogue-Medford 0: Kylie Spillett bowled a 672 series with a 244 in game three for Longwood in an 882-790, 938-861, 1010-772 League I win.

Suffolk Holiday Girls Bowling Tournament

Team Scores: 1. East Islip 2,997; 2. Middle Country 2,928; 3. Comsewogue 2,813; 4. Commack 2,799; 5. Longwood 2717. Top three-game series: Kelly Skalacki, Middle Country (666); Courtney McGinn, East Islip (632); Renee Rocco, Comsewogue (617); Abigail Casale, North Babylon (604); Laura Molloy, Smithtown (597). Top Individual games: Angelina Macaluso, Islip (236); Brielle Spillet, Longwood (236); Justice Belton, Bay Shore (233); Alissa Fontana, Sachem East (230); Megan Kerrigan, West Islip (224); Amanda Tyrell, Middle Country (223). Dec. 13

Longwood 874 951 1016 3 Sachem North 843 819 858 0. Dec. 14

Middle Country 2, Longwood 1: Kelly Skalacki bowled a 254 in Game 3 of a 653 series to lead Middle Country in a 1000-911, 923-939, 1000-894 win in League I. Dec. 19

Longwood 962 1013 961 2 Commack 889 925 990 1. Dec. 20

Longwood 1033 831 1001 3 Patchogue-Medford 894 786 810 0. Jan. 9

GIRLS BOWLING

LaRocca takes first. Islip’s Katelyn LaRocca bowled a 492 two-game series to come in first in the ‘A’ division in the singles and doubles tournament at East Islip Lanes. In A doubles, Longwood‘s Brianna Meyer and Kylie Spillett took first with a 962. Jan. 10

Suffolk Singles and Doubles Tournament

at East Islip Lanes

Singles: A – Katelyn LaRocca (Islip), 492; Second Brielle Spillett (Longwood), 484; Third Kaysie Gamblin (Sachem North), 476. B – Brianna Colon (Bay Shore), 464; Veronica Milito (East Islip), 431; Giana Fontana (Sachem East), 406. C – Danielle Proietto (Smithtown), 388; Jenna Perez (Bay Shore), 365; Stefanie Sciortino (Smithtown), 363. D – Esme Forbes (Bay Shore), 321; Julie Costa (Commack), 314; Julie Knapp (Bay Shore), 287. Doubles: A – Brianna Meyer and Kylie Spillett (Longwood), 962; Kelsey Fryer and Courtney McGinn (East Islip), 914; Deanna Clarke and Renee Clarke (Comsewogue), 859. B – Brooke Kelsey and Autumn Novotny (Middle Country), 737; Kelly Sampson and Danielle Martin (Sachem North), 727; Brianna Colon and Sarah Sanchez (Bay Shore), 698. C – Esme Forbes and Mia Han (Bay Shore), 587; Hannah Reichelschiemer (Commack) and Samantha Scarambolo (Smithtwon), 570; Betsy Duchimaza and Misty Feist (Bellport), 561.

Longwood 944 994 1016 3 Smithtown 885 948 833 0. Jan. 11

Longwood 910 881 922 3 Sachem North 817 723 906 0. Jan. 16

Middle Country 3, Longwood 0: Melissa Sherwin bowled a 258 in game 1 of a 715 series as Middle Country (9-1) won its fourth straight League I championship with a 1,075-882, 931-888, 1,112-735 victory. Jan. 18

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE Girls bowling averages have increased as more strive for perfection

Haynes, Stephen. 

Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 20 Jan 2013: 

BRIANNA MEYER

Longwood, Sr.

As a 10-year-old, before bowling became her passion, Brianna Meyer dominated on the diamond as a power-hitting first baseman … for the Longwood Youth Sports Association baseball team.

“I grew up playing baseball with my brother and my cousins, who were all boys,” Meyer said, “so it was natural to me.”

It’s natural now, that the Longwood senior can hold her own against boys as a bowler. She finished the regular season with a 212.4 average, fourth among Suffolk girls and good enough to qualify for the boys’ top 20.

Meyer is a member of two leagues outside of her school team and bowls seven days a week. She helped lead the Suffolk sectional team to gold in the state all-star tournament, and earlier this month she paired with teammate Kylie Spillett to win the Suffolk doubles championship.

With a smooth delivery and precise shot, Meyer has posted averages better than 200 in each of the last three seasons and made Longwood a title contender.

“I’m sure people say ‘boys are better bowlers and girls can never compete,'” she said. “But we’re proving that’s not the reality.”

Haynes, Stephen. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 03 Mar 2013

The Sectional All-Star Tournament will be Lena Sorrentino’s last hurrah.

Well, “Oo-rah,” actually. During the last five years, two sounds have become familiar:

pins toppling and the East Islip star yelling the old Marines battle cry with teammates. But today’s

tournament closes a chapter for one of Long Island’s most decorated high school bowlers.

“It doesn’t feel real,” said Sorrentino, a senior and four-time All-Long Island selection. “It’s

hard to imagine this is my last time bowling in high school.”

This also is her fifth time competing in a state tournament. She twice led her team to Suffolk titles

and three other times has earned a spot on the all-star squad comprising the county’s top six bowlers, excluding members of championship teams.

Sorrentino, who posted a 215 average this season, is among five Long Island girls competing for the last time, part of the core that ushered in this era of dominant girls bowlers.

“It’s the end of something special, but I feel more excited than sad,” said Longwood‘s Brianna

Meyer, a three-time All-Long Islander. “It also means we’re getting old.”

Meyer helped lead Team Suffolk to gold in last year’s tournament and will be joined on this

team by teammate Kylie Spillett, a senior with whom she teamed to win the Suffolk doubles title

this year.

Seniors Meghan Wing (Plainedge) and Paige Sztabnik (Roslyn) lead the Nassau all-stars

after finishing first and second, respectively, in the county individual tournament.

“Right now it’s starting to hit me that this is my last time,” said Wing, who had a 219.5 average. “Looking back, it’s been an amazing ride.”

Suffolk girls roll to 4th

Haynes, Stephen. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 04 Mar 2013:

SYRACUSE – The emotion poured out after Brianna Meyer’s last shot.

A year ago, the Longwood star’s final roll clinched the Sectional All-Star championship for Suffolk. This one ended the senior’s high school career. “I’m disappointed,” she said, still in the moment and tearful. “I wanted to do better for my team.”

Team Suffolk finished fourth yesterday, ceding its title to the Section VI all-stars, who toppled 6,562 pins at Strike ‘N Spare Lanes. Nassau took sixth. “I wanted to cry, too, and I probably will in private,” said Plainedge senior Meghan Wing, a three-time All-Long Islander. “It’s a weird feeling knowing that it’s over.”

Most likely, once the tears have dried, the reflection will begin and these seniors should have a wealth of fond memories of their careers.

East Islip’s Lena Sorrentino bowled a 1,399 series – third best in the tournament – to lead Suffolk, which totaled 5,975 pins. Meyer, a three-time all-star, had a 1,200, and fellow Longwood senior Kylie Spilett a 1,157.