The manchester girls bowling team is ready to take off!!
The team has grown to 13 players, 4 new girls and 9 returners.
Head coach vargas said, “After such a successful season last year, I fully expect us to compete at the highest level. While I feel there is no reason we can’t win the division again, there are some really good bowlers and teams that feel the same way, including Group 2 overall champions Barnegat. They bested us last year in our 3rd matchup of the season en route to the Sectional state title from us, as the #1 seed in “South- Group 2″. Already this year, they have taken 1 of 3 games from us in our first match. They also outperformed us at the Rule the River Classic, the first tournament of the season on Saturday, December 7, 2024. If we are going to reach the heights I know we are fully capable of, it has to go through Barnegat. While we only lost one senior, she was a pretty important senior – Mae Koenigstein. Not just our captain, but she also had a 192 average at the end of last year – good for 3rd in the division, 8th best in all of Shore Conference, and 12th best in the entire state. Those shoes have got to be filled, but it’s going to take the entire team to step up. Leading the charge is 11th grader Abby Montgomery. She had a 181 average last year and has all the potential to average in the 190’s and higher. She had the 24th highest average in the state and is sure to climb up that ladder this year. Senior Jade Stavalo is captaining this crew. Along with Juniors Lisa Basinski, Nikki Kisseberth, and Sam Sousanes, we will look to do whatever it takes to come away on top. Sophomore Danica Sardo also made big strides this off-season and is looking to make her mark on the team as well. Other returning bowlers include Senior Maria Tovar Velasquez and Sophomore Leona Squicciarini. They’ll definitely be looked upon to step up when needed – as was the case at the Rule the River Tournament on December 7. Senior Kait Manee is currently out with an injury, but she would make for an amazing addition to this already strong lineup if she is able to return before season’s end. Newcomers Samantha Bouza, Savannah Flannery, Lily Krusieski, and Vanessa Fredericks round out this year’s squad. With Coach Bryan Vargas at the helm, anything is possible. He finished last year with 193 career wins at Manchester, just 7 shy of 200 as a Hawk’s Bowling head coach. Vargas was the Boys’ Head Coach, from 2008 to 2019, before switching over to the Girls’ team in 2020. Assistant Coaches Joe Bolcato and Rob Becker will also bring seasoned and experienced perspective to both the Boys and Girls teams this year.”
Senior Captain Jade Stavalo is proud to say that “i’m so excited to see the team grow this year. I hope everyone can be one team with no drama. I love the team and the girls even though they are new.”
Returning bowlers: Senior Kait Manee, Senior Jade Stavalo, Senior Maria Tovar-Velasquez, Junior Sam Sousanes, Junior Abby Montgomery, Junior Nikki Kisseberth, Junior Lisa Basinski, Sophomore Leona Squicciarini, Sophomore Danica Sardo
New bowlers last year: Sophomore then Freshman Alexa Sweeney, Sophomore then freshman Leona Squicciarini, Sophomore then freshman Danica Sardo Senior then junior Maria Tovar-Velasquez
New Bowlers this year: Senior Samantha Bouza Sanchez, Sophomore Vanessa Fredricks, Freshman Jaylyn Krusienski
