Scouting Mid-Suburban League girls bowling

By Bill Esbrook

Daily Herald Correspondent

2010-11 MSL team champion: Elk Grove

2010-11 MSL individual champion: Jodi Gawlik, Schaumburg

2011-12 MSL team favorites: Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Prospect

2011-12 MSL darkhorse: Rolling Meadows

MSL bowlers to watch this season: Ashley Dolce, Tedra Tado (Elk Grove); Abbey Hill (Rolling Meadows); Cheyenne Pfeiffer (Schaumburg); Samantha Rossdeutscher (Fremd); Sammi Van De Linde (Conant); Allison Walsh (Prospect); Sarah Wille (Hoffman Estates).

MSL East

Buffalo Grove: The Bison, which qualified as a team for the 2011 state tournament, have one of the top tandems in the conference in senior returnees Mariah McVay and Shana Rarick. “Last year we finished second at the (Vernon Hills) sectional at 19th at state, but we lost three seniors from that team.” said BG coach Jean Tripam, “I’m hoping to fill those spots this year with some young talent.”

Elk Grove: The defending champs have a great chance to repeat led by perennial all-stars Tado and Dolce, who form perhaps the top duo in the state. They’ll be ably assisted by new teammates Dana Ohm, a senior, and juniors Alexis Swinson and Abby Nix and sophomores Kayleigh Duff and Allison Peters. “We’ve got a strong core and some great new varsity competitors,” said Grens coach Kim Sander. “I know the girls were disappointed not to compete at state as a team (Elk Grove fell just short of advancing), but we’re proud of Tedra’s accomplishments last year.” Tado finished fifth in the state tourney with a 215.8 average.

Hersey: Huskies coach Julie Arias says there will be a “surprising twist for everyone” on this year’s squad. “We have several girls returning who have improved tremendously within the past year. I think we will be much more competitive this year since we have more experienced bowlers and better equipment.” Seniors Sam Tres, Jess Caraba and Britt Tinaglia are all varsity returnees, while Marie Spychala has moved up from JV this year to help the cause. A talented freshman, Delanie Steinweg, also shows talent and promise.

Prospect: All of the pieces are in place for an outstanding season for the Knights. Senior Allison Walsh, a top-10 MSL finisher in 2010-2011, is back as team leader, while seniors Cassie Bach, Michelle Bergeron, Alison Mulcahy lead an experienced squad. Junior Samantha Victor and sophomore Meghan Mulcahy give coach Greg Troyer plenty of firepower. “We lost four seniors to graduation,” said Troyer, “so it might take several weeks for our new players to get comfortable at the varsity level. There will be growing pains early.”

Rolling Meadows: The Mustangs were fifth overall in the MSL last year and coach Karen Ellingsworth thinks there are bigger and better things ahead this season. Junior Phoebe Kim will be a dynamic contributor, while the Mustangs will also count on seniors Caitlyn Gastfield, Abbey Hill and Natalie Cannizio and juniors Joanna Leung and Caitlyn Wooten. “We’re going to be highly competitive this season,” said Ellingsworth. “I’m looking for us to improve to at least third place (in conference).”

Wheeling: The Wildcats solid lineup this season will include senior Rebecca Way and juniors Aline Bardak, Rebecca Falkiner, Cecilia Gama, Heather Hok, Cailey Markiewicz, Liz McDaniel and Sam Nowry. “Nowry is a solid leadoff bowler whose hard work in the off-season should pay off,” said Wildcats coach Beth Anderson, “and our other juniors will bring a lot of spirit, camaraderie, and enthusiasm. All of the girls have the potential for high averages and big scores.”

MSL West

Barrington: The Fillies are still fairly new to MSL competition, but could be looking forward to their best season ever. Beverly Dines is an outstanding bowler and team leader, supported by two other consistent seniors, Jazlynn Skor and Chrissy Graft. Hannah Hornig, Aly Bainbridge and Emily Troxell round out the cast. “We’ve got a competitive group of bowlers,” said Fillies coach Sam Raia. “We expect to be moving up (in the MSL standings) this year.”

Conant: Cougars coach Jennifer Mikrut can’t say enough good things about senior standouts Sam Pincenti and Sammi Van De Linde, both of whom have been in the program for four years. “Pincenti has been on varsity the past two years and we expect her to lead the team this season,” said Mikrut. Sammi, meanwhile, came up to varsity last year for the sectional meet and both girls wound up placing in the top 20 individually. Now as usual we look forward to a real tough conference and sectional, but we’re eyeing a top-five conference finish.”

Fremd: Senior Samantha Rossdeutscher fronts a strong Vikings squad but she won’t be the only threat as junior Kayleigh Burnitz is expected to make a big contribution. Senior Kelly Bierer also returns to form a strong core of competitors. “We’ve also got several new bowlers joining our returning team members,” said Fremd coach Deb Pietrucha. “I think this will be a very challenging year for all of the girls, to become more consistent from game to game.”

Hoffman Estates: Another top-two finish in the MSL (the Hawks were second last year) isn’t out of the question for a team that went to the state tournament in Rockford and finished eighth overall last season. They’ll be led by a sophomore, varsity returnee Sarah Wille, who’ll be supported by seniors Sam Hoglund and Brittany Gray, and sophomore Brandy Hoglund. “We’ll be competitive,” said Hoffman coach Dan Pfligler. “We have hopes of winning the conference, and qualifying and doing well at state.”

Palatine: Pirates coach John Burke will field a very young team this season, but also feels his squad shows plenty of potential. “We may take some lumps early,” said the long-time coach, “but we’ve got some talented bowlers who will show their talent over the long haul and I look for them to improve match to match.” The leaders are seniors Missy Cannon and Jessica Paneral, while junior Anna Lessner and sophomores Katie Conrad and Abby O’Brien round out the top five.

Schaumburg: After a stellar string of successful seasons led the last four years by outstanding bowler Jodi Gawlik, the Saxons will retool this year. Senior Cheyenne Pfeiffer is the only returnee with varsity experience, while coach Mark Kelly will look for improvement from other team members such as juniors Sami Hansel and Tiffany Schwartz, and sophomores Rachel Wood and Shannon Maiers. “We’ve got talent,” said Kelly, “but were a little behind on our mechanics. I want us to be more consistent as the season goes on. We are definitely a work in progress.”