Graphic by Anna Stecker

Going into the 2026 season, the girl’s bowling team was facing a washout, or rather a lack of one. With only three returning members, juniors Adriana Diponio, Ava Mazza, and Maya Strzelczy, the team was one step away from being unable to compete at all. A minimum of five players are required to form a team, and without them, the season would be over before it even began.

Determined not to let that happen, Mazza took matters into her own hands. With the future of the team uncertain, she made it her mission to spread the word.

“I was just trying to go around and ask people,” Mazza said. “I told them it would be fun.”

Her recruiting efforts paid off when sophomore Sophia Younan decided to give bowling a shot. What started as a casual conversation turned into a new commitment, Younan joined and brought a new energy to the team.

“I heard that there weren’t enough members, and they needed help,” Younan said. “So, I joined the team to learn a new skill.”

Soon after, the team gained junior Audrey Mesi, another friend of Mazza’s, bringing the roster to the minimum five players needed to compete. For returning members like junior Adriana Diponio, a lot was on the line. Thankfully for them, everything fell into place.

“We wouldn’t be able to participate in any tournaments or matches,” Diponio said. “I was worried about not being able to reach out to colleges, but after a college reached out to me, I realized it was going to be okay.”

The team’s last minute recruiting efforts paid off, allowing the girls bowling team to roll into the season against the odds. With only five members, each player plays a crucial role, but the team is proving that determination and teamwork matter just as much as numbers.