LOCKPORT, Ill. - Led by exceptional bowling from star-sophomore Caitlin Powers, the newly-ranked No. 14 Carthage Firebirds women's bowling team performed admirably at the Lewis Flyer Classic this weekend. During the three-day classic, Carthage picked up wins over nine opponents en route to a seventh-place finish out of 20 teams. Carthage won all three of its matches in the championship bracket portion of the classic on Sunday to secure the seventh-place finish. 

Just two days ago, Coach Zwiefelhofer's program secured its first-ever national ranking from the National Tenpin Coaches Association; following six-straight victories to close out the weekend - including a big win over No. 10 Marian (Wis.) - the Firebirds are riding high heading into the CCIW Tournament #2, which will take place in early-March. Carthage defeated all four conference opponents that it faced during the classic, taking down Aurora, Elmhurst, Illinois Wesleyan, and No. 10 Marian (Wis.). 



 

• Result: Seventh place out of 20 teams. 
• Location: Lockport, Ill.  

  
Day One:

• Carthage stood in sixth-place following five baker matches on day one, going 2-3 in those matches. The Firebirds knocked down 4,613 pins - good for a 184.5 average. Caitlin Powers put together an excellent day one - crafting Carthage's single-game high for pinfall in her 234-pin performance against Aurora. Powers knocked over 1,010 pins in five matches (202.0 average). 

Day Two: 

• The Firebirds won four out of five traditional matches on day two - including wins over two CCIW schools - Elmhurst and Illinois Wesleyan. Carthage slid down to nine in the overall standings - based on pinfall. Caitlin Powers led the Firebirds one day two of the classic, finishing 23rd among all individuals in the field. Powers discarded 958 pins in five day-two matches, good for a 191.60 average. 

Day Three:

• Slotted in as the ninth-seed in the championship bracket, Carthage needed to win three matches to move up to seventh in the final tournament standings. 
• The Firebirds took down Valparaiso University in its opening match, winning 1,068-967. Carthage fell to Valparaiso on day two of competition before exacting its revenge a day later.  
• Match two was dominated by Carthage, as Coach Zwiefelhofer's team took down No. 10 Marian (Wis.) 808-680.
• Wright State University gave the Firebirds a battle in the seventh-place match, but Carthage pulled out a hard-fought 1,394-1,269 win. 

 

• 1. No. 1 McKendree - 13,217 pins
• 2. No. 2 Maryville - 13,059 pins
• 3. No. 6 University of Central Missouri - 12,508 pins
• 4. No. 7 UW-Whitewater - 13,331 pins
• 5. Newman - 12,929 pins
• 6. No. 9 Lewis - 12,627 pins
• 7. No. 14 Carthage - 12,356 pins

 

• Powers paced the Firebirds, knocking over 958 pins on day two after Caitlin discarded 1,010 pins in five baker matches on day one. 
• Ashley Turner recorded another top-50 individual finish, hitting over 918 pins on day two to place 36th. 
• Marianna Hristakos generated the second-highest average pinfall for Carthage on day two, knocking over an average of 190 pins in three games. Jessica Rosa finished just behind Hristakos, averaging 189.33 pins in three games. 

 

• Carthage's next competition is crucial, as the Firebirds are set to compete in the CCIW Tournament #2 in Addison, Illinois. The conference tournament will take place on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4.