After a 2020-21 season that was limited to Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference-only play, the Penn State Altoona women's bowling team will return to a full schedule this season.

The Lions went 2-4 last year, competing in just the two AMCC regular season round robin events during a COVID-abbreviated schedule. This year, Penn State Altoona gets back to a normal schedule that includes four non-conference events in addition to the AMCC round robins.

The Penn State Altoona program also features a new head coach, Elizabeth Rhodes, who takes the reins of the team after having been an assistant coach for the past several seasons.

"There are a lot of things that I am looking forward to in my first year as head coach at Penn State Altoona," said Rhodes. "I'm looking forward to being able to travel with the girls to tournaments. After the previous year of uncertainty, it will be nice to be back to a semi-normal season with them. I'm excited to see how each team member will improve throughout the season."

The Lions' six-player roster includes four returning bowlers from last season: senior Allyson Givler (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield), junior Kaitlyn Estright (Norristown, PA/Archbishop Carroll), and sophomores Chloe Mazza (Burlington, NJ/Burlington Township) and Breanna Yarnall (Bedford, PA/Bedford).

Yarnall was Penn State Altoona's top bowler statistically last season, leading the team in baker average (16.13 per frame) and traditional average (140.0 per game). Estright was second on the Lions in traditional average (131.7 per game), Mazza was third in baker average (14.38 per frame), and Givler finished second in baker average (15.83 per frame) and third in traditional average (129.0 per game).

"My expectation for the returning players is to help the new recruits with their journey on our team and help guide them at tournaments and practice," said Rhodes. "The returning girls always have a positive attitude and are willing to help when needed."

Penn State Altoona's roster is rounded out by two freshmen entering their first seasons of collegiate bowling, Korinn Clever (Cincinnati, OH/Kings) and Madison Gray (Greensburg, PA/Hempfield). Clever joins the team after having been a 2021 Eastern Cincinnati Conference honorable mention pick in 2021, while Gray was a regional qualifier in both singles and team play, as well as a state qualifier in team matches.

"The two newcomers to our team are great additions and bring some previous competitive bowling experience," Rhodes explained. "I'm excited with what I've seen out of them at practice. They also seem to fit into the team since day one of practice."

Penn State Altoona women's bowling opens its 2021-22 schedule this Saturday, November 13, competing in the Unicorn Invitational hosted by La Roche University. After that, the Lions get into AMCC play in the conference's first round robin on Saturday, November 20 and Sunday, November 21, hosted by Saint Vincent College.

After a break in December, the Lions return to action to roll in the nearby Saint Francis University Red Flash Invitational at Holiday Bowl in Altoona on Saturday, January 28 through Sunday, January 30. Penn State Altoona competes in the second and final AMCC regular season round robin on Saturday, February 5 and Sunday, February 6, with the event being hosted by Pitt-Bradford.

Penn State Altoona wraps up its regular season on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6, bowling in the Mid State Mountie Classic, hosted by Mount Aloysius College at the F.A. Gerhart Lanes in Altoona's Bavarian Aid Society.

Should the Lions qualify for the AMCC Championships, the dates for that playoff tournament are March 25-27 at Sims Lanes in Beaver Falls.

"My overall expectation for the team is to improve with each tournament that we compete in – not only as a team, but also to improve as individual bowlers," Rhodes stated. "It's the little achievements that will lead you to the top."