HERMISTON, Ore.-The Hermiston Girls Bowling team took on Kennewick on January 8.
The Bulldogs handed Kennewick their only loss of the year earlier this season, and the first place Lions were looking for some revenge in the Mid-Columbia Conference (MCC) matchup at Desert Lanes.
“We gave them their only loss so far, so hopefully we’ll do it again, even though we’re down a few bowlers,” said Hermiston Head Coach Nicole Huth.
High School Bowling consists of two regular games, where five bowlers from each team square off, followed by two Baker games.
Baker Games are a team competition where each player rolls two frames, alternating between teammates and teams until all players have rolled two frames. The player with the highest score in each pair of frames is awarded the points.
At 7-5 before their match with Kennewick, Hermiston is currently in fifth place in the MCC as they look to finish the season strong ahead of Districts and, hopefully, the state tournament.
“We’ve got two solid bowlers in the 160-170 average range that are strong anchors for us, and our other girls have been improving all season,” said Huth.
Kennewick took the first two games of the match; however, Hermiston answered with a win in the first Baker game before dropping the second, ultimately losing the match 3-1.
Sophomore Camiryn Culp was Hermiston’s high scorer in the first game, rolling a 175, while senior Bailey Dotson was consistent through both regular games, posting scores of 150 and 154.
“Bowling’s the one thing I practice more than anything else,” said Dotson, who has been bowling since the age of six and is one of two seniors on the Hermiston team. “I enjoy making friends and talking, bowling’s definitely a sport with a social side.”
The social aspect of bowling has produced a sense of camaraderie and a fun feeling around the Bulldog bowling team.
“This season’s been really fun, so far so good,” said Chloe Tziouvaras, a senior who joined the bowling team this year at her mother’s suggestion. “If kids like bowling, they should definitely join. We’re always looking for more bowlers.”
The small size of the Hermiston Bowling team, with seven bowlers currently on the roster, has resulted in a tight-knit group, one firmly entrenched in and embraced by the larger community.
“The Hermiston community has been very supportive,” said Huth, now in her fourth season as Hermiston Head Coach. “Lots of people come out to watch and get to know the bowlers and Ray (Ray Fields, General Manager of Desert Lanes) always provides pizza and watches the matches.”
The next home match for Hermiston Girls Bowling is January 15 against Walla Walla at 3 p.m. at Desert Lanes.
