On Tuesday, February 10th, the River Dell Hawks’ Girl’s Bowling Team took on the Snyder Tigers at Bowler City, in a best of three match up, for their first playoff game of the season.
Coach Kleinfelder’s team has been crushing their competition this year. The Hawks finished as Patriot division champs, with an 8-0 record within the division, and a 12-3 record overall.
Their hard work during the season ended with them being ranked as the fourth seed in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Group 2 Tournament. A hefty boost from last season, where they came into the playoffs as the eighth seed.
This Hawks team would be matched up against Coach Francis Maslag’s 13th seeded Snyder Tigers, who came into Tuesday’s match on a four-game winning streak.
The Hawks’ roster for the 10th consisted of captain, senior Camryn Cariaga, co-captain, senior Grace Kim, senior Elva Song, junior Mia Doughney, and sophomore Kokomi Yoshikubo.
As the Hawks practiced on the lanes, Cariaga tried helping her team, while also figuring out the lanes for herself.
“Being captain means motivating the team, helping them adjust to the lanes, and taking care of other stuff like scheduling practices and managing the Instagram account,” Cariaga said. “I want to help my teammates succeed, so I’m happy to share my knowledge and encourage everyone to do their best!”
After a quick team huddle orchestrated by Cariaga, the Hawks got right to work, as they quickly established a sizeable lead over the Tigers.
In their first match, the Hawks intertwined a series of strikes and spares that were too much for the Tigers to handle. Despite a late push from the Tigers, it was simply too little too late.
Cariaga was the high bowler of the match, rolling a tone setting 160. Kim followed her fellow captain with a 124, while Yoshikubo, who made her playoff debut in Tuesday’s match added another 132. Song and Doughney finished up with a combined 248, to give the Hawks a total of 664 pins, compared to the Tigers 543, a 121-pin deficit.
With the first game of the match over with and ending in a massive Hawks win, there was heavy pressure on the Tigers to win game two and force a decisive game three.
Before the second bout could start, Coach Kleinfelder made one change, subbing in senior Gianna Lee for Song.
With the wind in their sails, the Hawks took off, hoping to finish the Tigers in the second game, and move on.
Once again, the Hawks got off to a hot start, with three of the five bowlers starting their game with either a strike or spare.
Halfway into the game, the Hawks once again found themselves up by a decent margin. The Tigers, however, would not go down without a fight. The Tigers began to add marks to their score, hoping to disrupt the Hawks’ large lead, and make a comeback.
Just like game one however, the Hawks’ great start continued through the match, and they took the Tigers down in game two, winning their first playoff game of the season.
Cariaga was once again the high bowler, improving on her score of 160 by 14 pins, mashing 174 in the second. Yoshikubo also stepped up, as she added 28 pins onto her first score, bowling a 160. Doughney joined the 160 club, bowling a 164, a 43-point jump from her first game. Kim added another 107, along with Lee’s 102, to give the Hawks a total of 714 pins, to the Tigers 546.
“I’m most pleased with how everyone in the team came together to improve their scores after the first match, and win the game,” Doughney stated.
“I’m pleased that we finished the match in the first two games,” said Yoshikubo. “It makes us feel like a very competitive and strong team.”
In total the Hawks team mashed 1,378 pins, leaving everyone extremely pleased with their playoff success.
“Like most people, I think it feels great to win,” said Cariaga. “I am incredibly proud of the team for securing the win and advancing further. Beyond our win, I feel I was also able to learn from this match and continue improving my bowling, even at the end of the season.” She finished.
Despite the Hawks’ win, for this team, it’s more than just bowling. Of the eight total members of the team, six will be graduating, and will not return for the 2026-27 season.
“Bowling has been such a pleasure. I am lucky to have such a wonderful team because they’re the ones who make it enjoyable,” Cariaga said. “I’ve met so many great people I wouldn’t have known otherwise, and I’m very grateful for that.”
“I wouldn’t want to end my senior year with any other teammates,” fellow captain, Kim added. “Everyone gets along so well and makes my job as captain so easy.”
Yoshikubo reciprocated this feeling, saying “I would like to mention how much I appreciate and love the seniors this year. Every match I try to enjoy the moment and interact with the seniors since I know I’ll miss them when they leave.”
“Some of the seniors were there when I joined bowling, so to think that they’ll be gone soon is heartbreaking” Doughney added.
The team is hoping to go as far as possible in the playoffs, as this will be the ‘Last Dance’ for this Hawks roster.
“Although it’s very scary that there’s only going to be two girl members left, I’ll make sure to keep the energy high and maintain the amazing traditions the seniors left with us!” Yoshikubo finished.
So, to any girls who are looking to join a winter sport for next season, consider joining the Hawks bowling team.
The Hawks’ next match will once again take place at Bowler City, on February 12th, where they will face coach Susanne Hughes’ fifth seeded Matawan Huskies.
