LANSING, Mich. – In their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in program history, the Carroll University women's bowling team continued its historic season with a 2–1 victory over Fayetteville State University on Thursday morning.

The NCAA opening-round format featured a traditional match, followed by a Baker match, with a best-of-seven Baker tiebreaker used if necessary. Carroll set the tone immediately in the traditional round, earning a 909–856 victory behind a balanced and composed effort across the lineup. Samantha Sciortino led the way with a game-high 215, while Natalie Hirsch added a crucial 202. Hannah Bartlett contributed a 179, with Ava Butt and Miley Brooks adding scores of 158 and 155, respectively, as the Pioneers seized the early advantage.

Fayetteville State responded in the Baker match, edging Carroll by just two pins in a tightly contested round. Despite facing a deficit of more than 50 pins late, the Pioneers mounted an impressive rally and forced Fayetteville State to make timely shots down the stretch to hold on, evening the series at 1–1.

With the match tied, the teams advanced to the best-of-seven Baker tiebreaker, where Carroll took control from the opening frame. The Pioneers came out firing and never looked back, rattling off four straight victories to clinch the match. Carroll once again received consistent production throughout the lineup, with Allyson Will stepping up off the bench to provide key contributions during the tiebreaker.

The win marks yet another milestone for the Carroll program, as the Pioneers earned their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, adding to an already landmark season that included the program's first CCIW championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

Carroll will look to continue its postseason run on Friday morning, taking on top-seeded Jacksonville State at 9 a.m. EST at Royal Scot—returning to the site where history was made just one day earlier.

Post-match Press Conference

Pre-regional Press Conference