Duquesne Bowling's Historic Effort Continues Program Growth
The Duquesne Bowling team was putting the finishing touches in its NEC Championship game against Mercyhurst and Jody Fetterhoff still had not processed that history was only an Emma Siekierski strike away.
When Siekierseki’s seventh-frame effort struck and she hugged her teammate Maribeth Baker, only then did it hit her that for the first time ever Duquesne was a conference champion, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in 10 seasons.
“When I took this job, this was what I envisioned but to actually accomplish that is rare,” Fetterhoff highlighted. “A lot of people thought I was crazy when I said all of this stuff coming in. I don’t look crazy now but it’s a lot of hard work, a lot of long days. All of the kids that came before, they all texted me congrats coach and that was really the most meaningful thing. They are a part of this. All of the success and culture they built, the freshmen that came in took that culture and just kept going. Culture doesn’t graduate.”
There only is one chance to say someone is the first to do something and that was really the last first left to accomplish.
It was the one thing left to accomplish, and it did so as a “mighty six”. While the roster may have been smaller than past years, everyone clicked immediately.
Duquesne is comprised of three upperclassmen and three underclassmen, two of which are freshmen. The freshmen coming into the NEC Championship play had never before competed in a mega match, which is a structure which allows for multiple rounds of play, involving individuals or teams competing in various formats.
That cohesion is something Fetterhoff believes to be a cornerstone of her program, that those on the team are as much involved in the recruiting process as she is.
It is important because it creates an immediate connection that only builds once a bowler commits. There also is an understanding of individual accomplishments being amazing, but the big team ones being even more desired.
This could not have been further evidenced by none of the Duquesne bowlers receiving any of the major awards, but after 10 years, coming together to win the NEC title.
A big testament to this could be Friday’s play in the NEC Championship, when Duquesne was down by 65 pins in game five of Baker play and reversed the script to advance to the winner’s bracket.
Two days later, the Dukes stood triumphantly as conference champions.
“I don’t think I could be prouder of this team and myself,” junior Maribeth Baker explained. “We did exactly what we needed to do, we went up there and executed our shots, kept the energy going and basically we were in our environment. We trusted ourselves and got it done. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else; we are all very tight and we got it done. I am very happy to see what we can do for the rest of this season.”
While basketball was occurring at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse last Wednesday, the film room was where there was cause for celebration as the bowling team gathered with administrators to determine where it would be for the NCAA Championship, one of 19 teams able to extend its season.
It was a celebration for the team’s efforts while allowing others on campus as well both acknowledge and celebrate the success thus far. As Fetterhoff explained, everyone in the film room played a role in the team’s success.
Though Duquesne knew it was getting in, it was the very last name called. It will begin regionals Friday at 9 a.m. against Nebraska at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes.
Also a part of that regional are Arkansas State, Belmont Abbey and Saint Vincent.
“I think bowling is misunderstood in a lot of people’s minds, and rightfully so, we’re not always the most visible sport, but the people who know what we go through and understand the work, do appreciate what we do,” Siekierski reflected after the official announcement. “It can take a lot out of you to be your own fighter and own motivator, but I am lucky to have five amazing teammates and more that have been part of my career. We’ve all been there to support each other. As much as this is a great accomplishment to go out as a senior, this is a testament to what this program has done. This is just the start of Duquesne’s story going forward.”
Duquesne does have multiple advantages at play having recently bowled these teams in person, but also is bowling on its home lanes, where one mechanic is an alum.
There is a clear determination and confidence within understanding what needs to be done and that the burden will never have to solely fall on one person.
Ultimately, the goal is to compete and have fun within that.
“We just had sectionals two weeks ago in that building and qualified for another national championship, so I hope that the nerves are a little bit off from that experience and we can build on the energy of our crowd and bowling alley supporting us,” settled Fetterhoff. “We know the pin carry and are not going to get frustrated. It is a huge advantage but there are four solid teams also at our regional.”
For the three returner’s falling short in the NEC Championship game last season and missing the NCAA Tournament left a bit of a chip on their shoulders.
“I know I had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder being in the finals last year and being that close to getting a conference title,” Siekierski summarized. “You fall a little short and you never want to feel that again, so you work hard to the point where you can achieve it. I think it was very cathartic feeling that all of that work is going to something. We are very excited about what we can do.”
Indeed there is a unanimous feeling across the board that anyone can win the NCAA title, given that in bowling it could be anybody’s day, on any type of lane or pattern and the “why not us” mantra Duquesne applied to the NEC Championship could certainly carry over.
Already Duquesne showed itself what it is capable of, believing in and fighting for it.
In its Friday fight and beyond, there has been a bunch of support, which not many schools get to fully experience.
It is to the point that for multiple years, student-athletes across several programs have said that Duquesne is a bowling school. This was not a remark made in jest, but rather one admiring the program’s consistency and ability time in and time out to be ranked and achieve successful results.
When this is combined with the belief across the entire time, Siekierski believes her team is a dangerous one.
“I never feel that bowling gets misunderstood on campus,” she beamed. “It’s always been people realize how much we accomplish. They support us and lift us up and it’s only going to get better and better.”
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