Spartans Picked Eighth in MEAC Bowling Preseason Poll

9/29/2026 5:34:00 PM

NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State bowling was picked to finish eighth in the 2026-27 MEAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Tuesday.

The Spartans received 14 points in voting by the league's head coaches. North Carolina A&T was the preseason favorite with 88 points and 11 first-place votes, followed by Maryland Eastern Shore (67), UAB (66) and Delaware State (62). Morgan State was picked fifth (45), with Coppin State and Howard tied for sixth (27).

A&T's Victorya White was named Preseason Player of the Year and headlines the Preseason All-MEAC team. She is joined by Maryland Eastern Shore's Mariane Almeida, Delaware State's Amina Hall, Ryan Starke and Hannah Perry, and Howard's Soraya Brinson.

Norfolk State returns three bowlers from last season's roster, led by junior Grace Geluso. Geluso paced the Spartans with a 149.1 average across 37 traditional games, rolling four 200-plus games, including a pair of 212s. Her best event was a 1,222-pin, seven-game set (174.6 avg.) at the MEAC's second conference event. She also averaged 115.4 in Baker play.

Senior Savannah Stover returns after averaging 127.7 over 37 traditional games with a high game of 191, while sophomore Shayla Yancey averaged 125.8 over 30 games with a season-best 199.

The Spartans enter the season under first-year head coach Yolanda Roberts, a Norfolk State alumna who competed for the program in 2009.

Norfolk State opens the 2026-27 season Saturday, Oct. 3, with the annual Green & Gold Alumni Scrimmage at Spartan Lanes in the Norfolk State University Student Center. The scrimmage runs from noon to 3 p.m.

2026-27 MEAC Bowling Preseason Coaches' Poll