PITTSBURGH - The Duquesne women's bowling team will begin its third season as a program on Oct. 13 at the Bud Whitman Memorial in Reading, Pa. as part of the 2018-19 schedule released by head coach Jody Fetterhoff today.

The Dukes are set to play in 11 regular-season tournaments, including a pair of Northeast Conference matches.

DU will travel to both Dallas and Smyrna, Tenn. as part of the 2018-19 slate.

"We have consistently been able to upgrade our schedule to reflect the growth of our program," said Fetterhoff. "This year's schedule will once again provide us with the opportunity to continue to build on the solid foundation we've established."

Duquesne, which improved from 49 to 65 wins from season one to season two, finished 2017-18 ranked 19th in the final National Tenpin Coaches Association Top 25.

The Dukes return every bowler from last year's team - a group that posted 17 wins over ranked teams.

The Bud Whitman Memorial (Reading, Pa.), which is the Dukes' lone October tournament, will be followed by a pair of November events in the Virginia Union Invitational (Nov. 2-4 in Glen Allen, Va.) and the Hawk Classic Invitational (Nov. 16-18 in Millsboro, Del.).

The first NEC meet is scheduled for Dec. 1-2 in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

DU opens the new year at the KU Invitational (Jan. 18-20 in Limerick, Pa.) before heading back to Reading, Pa. to defend its title in the Golden Bear Classic (Feb. 8-10).

The Dukes then head to Dallas to face a top field in the SFA Stormin' LadyJack Classic at USA Bowl (Feb. 15-17).

The second NEC meet, also in Reading, Pa. will be contested on Feb. 22-24.

Duquesne will then head to Tennessee for the Music City Classic (Mar. 15-17) which will also include a national field.

The top five conference teams qualify for the NEC Championship, which will take place on Mar. 22-24 in Howell, N.J. The conference champion earns an automatic spot in the NCAA Championship scheduled for Apr. 11-13 in Cleveland.