NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State bowling team begins its 2024-25 season with the Green and Gold Alumni Match on Saturday at Spartan Lanes. The Spartans look to build off a promising 2023-24 campaign.

Head coach Aundray Darden enters his fourth season, 20th overall, working with the Spartans.

Norfolk State returns four from the previous season: seniors Jalaya Allen and Jazmin Esquibel, junior LaShauna Burrus, and sophomore Kiersten Michel. The Spartans lost two last season: Megan Wheat and Kayla Barnes.

Two newcomers join the team: Grace Geluso and Alexandria Madigan, both Virginia Beach natives.

As upperclassmen, Allen and Esquibel have both stepped into leadership roles this season.

“As a senior on the team, I try to be supportive as the team captain,” Esquibel said. “I try to be there if they need me. I’m here to give them any support they may need on and off the lanes”

The Spartan bowling team named Michel the squad’s Most Valuable Player at the 2024 Spartans Choice Awards. Burrus earned Most Improved honors.

In traditional play, Michel led the team in total pin fall (5,092) across 28 games played and in average pin fall (181.9). Michel collected the highest pinfall average on the season after averaging 192.2 in the Northeast Classic.

Burrus followed closely behind Michel, securing 4,862 total pin fall for second most on the team, whilst averaging 173.6 in 28 games. Burrus’ best performance came at Mount St. Mary’s Shootout where she averaged 193.8, whilst totaling 969 total pin fall.

Each student-athlete prepared for the season in a different way this season. Some participated in bowling leagues while traveling throughout the United States, many hit the gym and bowling alleys to work and improve on their game, participating in drills amongst themselves to learn and grow their techniques.

Pivotal contributions all-around helped Norfolk State secure an upset over Delaware State in the 2024 MEAC Bowling Championship. Norfolk State defeated the No. 2 seeded Delaware State not once, but twice in the tournament.

“I can’t even describe that feeling,” Michel said. “It was one of the greatest feelings ever to knock them out of the tournament. That’s why the MEAC Championships is my most looked forward tournaments this season.”

The 2024-25 regular season opens on Oct. 25-27 at the Virginia Union Invitational at the Bowl America Southwest in Midlothian, Va.

The first conference tournament of the season comes on Nov.9-10 in Greensboro, N.C.at Triad Lanes.

After an incredible showing in the Lady Eagle Invitational last season, winning seven out of their eight matches, Norfolk State returns to Coppin State on Nov. 16-17 for the last meet of the 2024 calendar year.

After a two month break in between competitions, the Spartans head to Fairfield, Conn. to compete in the Northeast Classic hosted by Sacred Heart on Jan. 17-19.

Norfolk State then travels to Philadelphia, Pa. for the Griffin Baker Classic held by Chestnut Hill University on Feb. 1-2.

The final conference meet of the season is set for Feb. 22-23 in Dover, Del. at Bowlerama. The Spartans head to North Carolina A&T for the Stallings Invitational on Feb. 28-Mar.2.

To end the season, Norfolk State will compete in the Hampton Roads Collegiate Invitational in Norfolk, Va. on Mar. 8-9

To conclude the regular season, the MEAC Bowling Championship will take place in Raleigh, N.C. at the Buffaloe Lanes North Family Bowling Center, from Mar. 21-23.

The Spartans hope their combination of enthusiastic personalities and persistent work ethos will put them miles ahead of the incoming competition this season.