WASHINGTON (October 11, 2024) - After ending the 2023-24season with a third-place finish at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship, the Howard University women's bowling team is anxiously awaiting with high hopes for the new season.
 
With the struggles of a team full of beginner bowlers and rusty equipment behind them, the women have been motivated to redeem themselves.
 
For Howard women's bowling head coach Ron Davis, who has been working with the program for nearly two decades, last season was a lot about preparation for the future.
 
"We had to get us to become bowlers," said Davis. "You have three different bowlers. The bowler that likes to bowl, a bowler that can bowl and a bowler that just bowls."
 
The team was not only full of beginner bowlers, but it was also a very small team.
 
"Larger teams have more room for error, numbers make up for mistakes," Davis continued.
 
Last year, the team comprised of eight members while other MEAC members had reached double digits. This season, the team only has six members.
 
Davis believes extra pressure should not be added to the team members.
 
"One thing we always say is 'Try not to add any pressure to yourself' because it is already pressure every day."
 
Team captain Ryleigh Ferguson, a graduating senior from Jacksonville, N.C., believes the team has the aspect of not adding pressure to themselves down pat.
 
"Everybody knows we can get back up and try again, that is for sure," Ferguson expressed. "We're supporting one another and ourselves before and after a tournament."
 
In order to add to their collection of three consecutive wins of the Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award this season, the Bison will have to step their game up.
 
"I would say our biggest challenges last season is to tackle this season with energy," Davis elaborated. "When we are on and off the lanes during the tournaments."
 
Janae Pugh, the junior co-captain from Chicago agrees that consistency has helped train the team. Not only with skills, but with her attitude.
 
"It is my job to keep the team uplifted, especially when they feel discouraged," said Pugh. "It is a team effort. I do not always have to bowl great. If I am doing my best, I can rely on my team."
 
After 14 years of bowling, the radiational therapy major says her biggest lesson that bowling has taught her is patience with herself and her teammates and she will carry the lesson into the new season.
 
Davis is excited for the season to get underway.
 
"I'm looking for more wins than losses," Davis stated. "We were the last place team last year."
 
He explained that continuing to trust the process is what pushed the team during last year's tournament.
 
"I'm looking forward to us having fun," Davis concluded. "If we can have fun with this and trust the process, we will be alright."
 
The Bison open the season in New Castle, Del., at the Bud Whitman Memorial (Oct. 12-13).
 
For more information visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.