NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State women's bowling team opens its 2026-27 season this weekend at the Golden Bear Invite, hosted by Kutztown University, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, in Sinking Spring, Pa.
The event is the first competition under head coach Yolanda Roberts, a Norfolk State alumna who competed for the Spartans in 2009 and now returns to lead the program. NSU will compete against a 14-team field and will roll eight scheduled matches over two days. Play begins Saturday at 10:40 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.
NSU opens Saturday against the host and Kutztown, then faces Molloy and Delaware State. The match against the Hornets gives the Spartans an early look at a MEAC rival picked fourth in the conference preseason poll. Saturday closes with Adelphi and FDU.
Sunday opens against D'Youville, followed by Holy Family and Wilmington (Del.). The weekend ends with a placement match determined by the overall standings.
Scouting the Spartans
Norfolk State brings a 10-bowler roster to Pennsylvania, with three returners and seven newcomers.
Junior Grace Geluso (Virginia Beach, Va.) leads the returners after a team-best 149.1 average across 37 traditional games last season. She rolled four 200-plus games, including two 212s. Her best event came at the MEAC's second conference event, where she knocked down 1,222 pins over seven games (174.6 avg.).
Senior Savannah Stover (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield HS) averaged 127.7 over 37 traditional games with a high game of 191. Sophomore Shayla Yancey (Reston, Va.) averaged 125.8 over 30 games with a season-best 199.
The newcomers are juniors Makaela Braxton-Brown and sophomores Quaniya Cotton, Khori Riley and Rae Tyson, along with freshmen Melanie Hollowell, Trista Kocher and Aria Ragland.
Norfolk State was picked eighth in the 2026-27 MEAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Golden Bear Invite is the first of nine events on a schedule that spans five states.
Golden Bear Invite – Norfolk State Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 17
Match 1: Norfolk State vs. Kutztown
Match 2: Norfolk State vs. Molloy
Match 3: Norfolk State vs. Delaware State
Match 4: Norfolk State vs. Adelphi
Match 5: Norfolk State vs. FDU
Sunday, Oct. 18
Match 1: Norfolk State vs. D'Youville
Match 2: Norfolk State vs. Holy Family
Match 3: Norfolk State vs. Wilmington (Del.)
Match 4: Placement match (TBD, based on overall standings)
Follow the Spartans
Follow along at nsuspartans.com and on social media at @NSUSpartans.
