This season was one of achievements. Whether it be the coaches, the bowlers, or the school, this season was one of achievements for the Lady Hawks.
In January, Lady Hawks Head Coach Bryan Vargas reached 200 career wins as the Manchester coach. The overall high game this season came in a tournament, with Abby Montgomery (Jr.) bowling a 288. The high game in the regular season was a 248 bowled by Sam Sousanes (Jr.). The highest average this season was Abby Montgomery’s 186.54.
The Lady Hawks finished 20-2 this season, coming up short to Brick Township in the NJSIAA Group 2 Finals. In a statement to The Talon writer Valentino Vaccarella, Coach Vargas answered the following questions.
Q: Looking at the roster, you have 3 graduating seniors, and then next season, nearly the entire team will be seniors! How does this change things next season?
A: Replenishing our squad is always a concern from one year to the next. I’ve been very fortunate to get bowlers to step up their game to fill any voids left by graduating seniors. This year, we will graduate 4 seniors, so my goal is to get 4 freshmen for next year. From the start, my goal is to help improve their game so that they can make a Varsity impact as soon as possible. Even for the following year, when we graduate another 4 seniors, I can’t say it really changes anything. Through the years, both our Boys and Girls teams have had great history with improving our bowlers so that when the time comes, they are as prepared as they can be to keep our programs as competitive as they are. All year, both our Boys and Girls teams were ranked in the top 10 in the state. This is something that we hope will continue next year.
Q: Many bowlers that you’ve coached over the years say that your catchphrase is “Spares win games”, did some gnarly splits and spares be what cost you the big win, or was it just not meant to be this year?
A: All season, making spares has been our biggest area in need of improvement. Many games come down to a difference of 20 pins or fewer – that’s 2 spares! There’s many reasons our spare percentage was not what it should have been, so that’s going to be my goal for this offseason – for these girls to improve their spare shooting. I feel every year can be our year. We just have to make it happen. We have to take charge and take what’s ours.
Q: What’s the goal for next season, and how does this heart-breaking loss change the team’s philosophy?
A: Besides making more spares, which is more of a short-term goal, the goal for next year is to win it all. With the teams we’ve had the last two years, we have had the talent to win it all. Next year will be no different. I feel we’ve got some growing up to do, especially with 4 starting seniors. They’ll know this is their time and I’m confident they will do everything in their power to improve upon their game. I have a good feeling about next year.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add about this team/season?
A: Regardless of the outcome, this was a very successful season for our Girls team. We won our division, we won a couple of tournaments, we won awards at other tournaments. We had 4 girls qualify as individuals for the Shore Conference Tournament, we had 5 girls qualify as individuals for the State Tournament. We have nothing to hang our heads about. I’m already looking towards next year and I know these girls will be too.
Coach Vargas is very hopeful that next year is the year he can bring home the hardware that means the most. A state final win, as it eluded both the boys and the girls this year.
As mentioned above, there are three graduating seniors on the team. They are (C) Jade Stavalo, Kaitlynn Manee, and Maria TovarVelasquez. Manee was sidelined for the majority of the season, as she was dealing with an injury.
On behalf of The Talon, we congratulate both the bowlers and Coach Vargas on a wonderful season!
The final season stats are as follows:
**Bowler did not bowl full season**
Bold text indicates team high
Lisa Basinski (Jr.) 578 High Series, 8,868 total pinfall, 224 high game, 164.22 avg. 20 games played
Samantha Bouza** (Sr.) 257 High Series, 257 total pinfall, 91 high game, 85.67 avg. 1 game played
Nikki Kisseberth (Jr.) 574 High Series, 9,119 total pinfall, 214 high game, 162.84 avg. 21 games played
Kaitlynn Manee** (Sr.) 507 High Series, 2,323 total pinfall, 195 high game, 165.93 avg. 6 games played
Abby Montgomery (Jr.) 706 High Series, 10,633 total pinfall, 247 high game, 186.54 avg. 21 games played
Danica Sardo** (So.) 573 High Series, 4,988 total pinfall, 206 high game, 160.90 avg. 15 games played
Sam Sousanes (Jr.) 612 High Series, 6,786 total pinfall, 248 high game, 161.57 avg. 19 games played
(C) Jade Stavalo (Sr.) 496 High Series, 7,107 total pinfall, 216 high game, 149.06 avg. 19 games played
Maria TovarVelasquez** (Sr.) 487 High Series, 813 total pinfall, 189 high game, 162.80 avg. 3 games played
Leona Squicciarini** (So.) 0 High Series, 0 total pinfall, 0 high game, 0 avg. 0 games played
Lily Krusieski** (Fr.) 0 High Series, 0 total pinfall, 0 high game, 0 avg. 0 games played
Vanessa Fredericks** (So.) 0 High Series, 0 total pinfall, 0 high game, 0 avg, 0 games played
Final Lady Hawks Schedule/Record
20-2
12/2 vs. Barnegat W 2-1
12/4 vs. Pinelands W 3-0
12/9 vs. Lakewood W 3-0
12/13 vs. Manasquan W 3-0
12/16 vs. Point Boro W 3-0
12/18 vs. Lacey W 3-0
12/19 @ Barnegat L 2-1
1/8 vs. Matawan W 3-0
1/9 vs. Pinelands W 3-0
1/15 @ Central Regional W 2-1
1/16 vs. Point Boro W 3-0
1/20 vs. Lakewood W 3-0
1/22 vs. Lacey W 3-0
1/23 vs. Barnegat W 2-1
1/29 vs. Lakewood W 3-0
2/3 vs. Pinelands W 3-0
2/10 vs. Overbrook W 2-0
NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 First Round
2/13 vs. Monmouth W 2-0
NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 Quarterfinals
2/19 vs. Burlington Township W 2-0
NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 Semifinals
2/20 vs. Point Boro W 3-0
2/24 vs. Lacey W 3-0
2/25 vs. Brick Township L 2-0
NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 Finals
