WAUKESHA, Wis. - For the first time in program history, the Carroll University women's bowling team enters a season as the team to beat. The Pioneers are coming off a landmark 2025-26 campaign that featured both CCIW regular season and tournament championships, an NCAA Tournament appearance, and the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. The breakthrough season not only elevated the program to new heights but also shifted the expectations surrounding Carroll bowling.

As the Pioneers prepare for the 2026-27 season, head coach Mason Petrin believes the biggest takeaway from last year's run was the confidence his team gained competing on the national stage.

"By the end of the experience, they started to realize they could compete with the top teams," Petrin said. "Going into the tournament, I don't know if everyone fully believed that yet. By the time it was over, they knew they belonged."

That realization extended far beyond the team's veteran leadership. With much of last year's roster returning, many of Carroll's underclassmen experienced firsthand what it takes to succeed against some of the nation's best programs. Petrin believes those experiences have created a different mentality throughout the team heading into this season.

Winning the program's first conference championship was another transformational moment. The accomplishment represented the culmination of a goal the team established before the season even began.

"It was a huge stepping stone for us," Petrin said. "Our goal was to win both the regular season and conference tournament championships, and we were able to do that. Now the bar has been raised. The expectation is to compete for conference championships every year."

The success has also paid dividends off the lanes. Carroll's emergence as one of the top programs in the region has helped strengthen recruiting efforts and attract talent that can continue building upon the foundation established over the past two seasons. That foundation begins with a veteran roster that returns nearly intact from last year's championship squad. The Pioneers lost just one player from the 2025-26 roster and bring back a team loaded with postseason experience.

Leading the way is senior Ava Butt, a two-time CCIW Player of the Year who enters her final collegiate season as one of the most accomplished bowlers in the conference. While her awards and accolades stand out, Petrin points to her leadership and approach as equally important to the program's continued success.

"She's extremely coachable and one of our best spare shooters," Petrin said. "Last year she was one of only two upperclassmen on the team and really embraced a leadership role. She helped make our freshmen feel comfortable from day one and set a great example for everyone."

Carroll also returns reigning CCIW Newcomer of the Year Miley Brooks after an impressive freshman campaign. According to Petrin, Brooks made significant strides late in the season and has continued building on that momentum throughout the offseason.

"During the last third of the season, things really clicked for her physically," Petrin said. "She's continued working on those areas and improving. We expect her to keep growing, and we think she can push for some of the top individual honors in the conference."

The championship experience returning to the roster may be just as valuable as the individual talent.

"It means everything," Petrin said. "There's a confidence that comes from knowing what it takes. The returners understand the expectations and what we should be accomplishing week in and week out. Any freshmen who come into the program can learn from that and quickly understand what Carroll bowling is all about."

Beyond the team's standout performers, Petrin expects several additional bowlers to take major steps forward this season. Natalie Hirsch, Kailyn Davis, and Grace London are among the returners who could play larger roles as the year progresses.
The Pioneers have also added another talented freshman class highlighted by Wisconsin state champion Autumn Vodicka. Petrin was already excited about Vodicka's future before she captured her state title, as she committed to Carroll just days before earning the championship.

Carroll's incoming class adds yet another layer of competition to a roster that may be deeper than any Petrin has coached.

"We brought in another strong freshman class with the goal of pushing our returners," Petrin said. "You can definitely tell who put the work in during the offseason because the competition is much higher now."

That increased competition has become one of the program's biggest strengths. Every practice session features talented bowlers battling for opportunities, making daily improvement a necessity rather than an option. The internal competition is one example of the growth Petrin has seen throughout the program since arriving at Carroll. He points to communication and trust as two areas that have improved dramatically over the past several seasons.

"Communication among everyone has been number one," Petrin said. "The coachability was always there, but the trust has grown. Players are more willing to push each other because they know everyone is working toward the same goal."

While last season's success provided plenty of reasons to celebrate, Petrin has emphasized that the team cannot rely on past accomplishments.

"It is a new season," Petrin said. "Other programs improved, too. Teams like Marian and Carthage have recruited well. We have a target on our backs now, and we have to focus on doing our job and controlling what we can control."

One of the areas Petrin believes can help Carroll take another step forward is confidence. While the team proved it belongs among the nation's top programs, he wants every member of the roster to embrace that reality.

"For some people, it's truly believing they belong," Petrin said. "Knowing they can consistently compete at a high level against the best teams."

That mindset has already been evident throughout offseason workouts and practices.

"The team is hungry," Petrin said. "Everyone wants to earn playing time, and with the depth we have, that's not easy. It's been really fun to watch them compete and see where everyone's game is at."

The identity of this year's team is one Petrin believes is still developing, but one characteristic already stands out.

"They're competitors," Petrin said. "They don't want to just get by. They want to go out there, dominate, and continue improving."

As the defending conference champions and preseason favorites, the Pioneers understand each opponent will be eager to knock them off. Fortunately, both Petrin and assistant coach Courtney Ermisch experienced what it was like to compete as top teams during their own collegiate careers and are helping prepare the roster for those challenges.

For Carroll to successfully defend its conference championship, Petrin believes the formula remains simple.

"We have to be great teammates and continue supporting each other throughout conference play," Petrin said. "The fundamentals matter too. Making spares and filling frames wins championships. You can't get lazy against anybody."

After enjoying the most successful season in program history, the Pioneers are no longer striving to establish themselves among the conference's elite. They have already done that. The challenge now becomes maintaining that standard while continuing to elevate the program.

With championship experience, proven depth, increased competition throughout the roster, and the confidence that comes from succeeding on the national stage, Carroll enters 2026-27 believing its best bowling may still be ahead. And if Petrin gets his wish, the story of this season won't simply be about defending a title, but about a team and program that continued to grow.

"When people look back at this group," Petrin said, "I hope they're saying we got better."