Expectations remain high for Plum girls bowling team

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 8, 2018 | 1:18 AM

Brianna Pilyih made her Plum bowling debut in the 2015-16 season, and as a freshman, she helped the Mustangs girls to the state championship.

She learned that year from some of the top performers in the history of Plum bowling. Three from that team — Meghan Christman, Sarah Kirkpatrick and Allie Dick — are competing in college at Saint Vincent, Duquesne and Notre Dame (Ohio), respectively.

The fifth member of that team, Brianna’s sister, Talia, also was a consistent force for four years before graduating in 2016.

The Plum girls hope to make a fifth straight trip to states this season. Pilyih, a senior and team captain, expects matches and tournaments to be competitive, but she believes the team has a chance to return to the state finals, set for March in Ephrata.

“There are expectations to uphold, whether you’ve been on the team for a couple of years or you are new to the team,” Pilyih said. “We want to keep our (state) streak going, and we can do it.”

There also is a streak alive in WPIBL play as the Plum girls have won 55 straight section matches.

The Mustangs, behind a 630 series from returning junior Shannon Small (206-190-234), defeated Gateway, 7-0, last week in their opener. Small placed 22nd individually at states last season.

Senior Nicole Abrams added a 508 series, and Pilyih recorded a 507 series.

Sophomore Alana Stecker, who contributed 16 games last season, also played against Gateway, and freshman Haley Gabor rolled a 452 series in her debut.

Sophomores Emily Kimmell and Sara Tamusehy also are first-year bowlers.

“We’re working with the new girls, trying to get them better,” Pilyih said. “We’re all working as a team, building each other up and keeping each other going the whole time.”

Plum plays in the East section against the Gators, as well as Penn Hills, Redeemer Lutheran, Woodland Hills and Valley.

The top two teams from each section will qualify for the WPIBL team championships in February.

The Plum boys split the East section title last year with Franklin Regional, as each team went 9-1.

The Mustangs lost Franklin Mercurio, one of the WPIBL’s best the past several seasons, to graduation, but the other four starters are back, including senior captain and four-year starter Matthew Brown.

“Since most of us have been here before, we know what to expect,” said Brown, who rolled a 553 series in last week’s 7-0 win over Gateway.

Junior Vincent Cocca fronted the Plum effort against the Gators with a 602 series (200-196-206). Junior Ty Kirkpatrick bowled a match-best 223 game en route to a 588 series, and junior Owen Cirelli finished with a 472 series.

Moving into the spot vacated by Mercurio was sophomore Ethan Grainy, and he tallied a 563 series (188-166-209), good for third on the team.

Sophomore Michael Bednar rolled four varsity games last season. Freshman Jake Bell also hopes to make an impact this year.

Plum hopes to return to the state tournament after missing out last year. The Mustangs placed ninth in 2017 and sixth the year before.

“We want to bowl confidently each time and not get rattled by anything,” Brown said. “That will help us down the road in those big matches and competitions.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.

Tags: Plum