Garden City, N.Y. — As the Adelphi women's bowling team turns the calendar from 2025 into 2026, they continue to improve with each outing, posting improvements across nearly every statistical category.
The Panthers have increased their team average by more than 10 pins per game, now averaging 173.8 this season compared to 163.7 last season. A lot of this success is coming form the team's improvement in spare shooting as the Brown and Gold have converted nearly one additional makeable spare per game.
Adelphi's fill percentage has increased to 73.7%, up five percent from last season, while total spare conversion has jumped from 55.1% to 60.0%. Single-pin spare conversion has improved by 5.3%, and multi-pin spare conversion is up 3.7%. The Panthers are also making more strikes, as their strike percentage has risen to 34.3%.
The Panthers have been making moves in the national rankings, as Adelphi has moved up 35 spots in the NTCA Power Rating Index, moving from No. 71 last season to up to No. 36 this year. To boot Adelphi has earned wins over nationally ranked Delaware State and Felician.
Individually, Carly Wu has raised her average by 11.2 pins per game. Her 9+ percentage is up 9.1%, her strike percentage has improved by 5.1% and her overall spare percentage has increased by 4.9%. Wu has also reduced her split leave rate from 13% to 8.2%. She recorded a season-high game of 244 and earned ECC Honor Roll recognition at the Garden State Classic.
Erica DeJesus has made one of the biggest jumps on the roster, increasing her average by 18 pins per game. Her fill percentage is up 9.4%, her 9+ percentage has improved by 6.1% with her strike percentage going up by 7.3%. DeJesus owns a season-high game of 254.
Freshman Marissa Funk has solidified herself as a key starter for Panthers, averaging 189.2 on the season while leading the team in fill percentage (81.2%), strike percentage (42.3%) and overall spare conversion (67.5%). She averaged 207 at the NJ Open, earning ECC Bowler of the Week honors in her first collegiate tournament, and was named to the ECC Honor Roll at the Garden State Classic.
Tiffany Wong had a strong showing at the Golden Bear Invitational, averaging 185.4 during Baker competition with an 84.3% fill rate. She has also improved her overall spare percentage by 4.5% this season.
Giana Giampapa has continued to progress, improving her single-pin spare conversion by 5.4% and her overall spare percentage by 3.9%.
Gayle Lopez provided a key contribution off the bench at the Garden State Open, rolling a 167 against nationally ranked Monmouth in a match that was decided in the final frame by six pins.
Payton Hoffay has also contributed in Baker play, improving her spare conversion by five percent while converting key 10-pin spares.
The Panthers will look to build on a strong first half of the season when they return to the lanes at the Sacred Heart hosted Northeast Classic on Jan. 16-18 in New Castle, Del.
