PITTSBURGH - Head coach Jody Fetterhoff has announced the signing freshmen Crystal Elliott and Kiearra Saldi to National Letters of Intent, making the duo the newest members of the bowling team.

"I'm really excited to welcome both Crystal and Kiearra to the team!," said DU's fourth-year coach. "They visited campus at the same time and got along really well with both each other and the team. While each brings something very different to this team, both come from amazing families and are fierce competitors. We all have the same vision for this program and everyone is excited to see what we can accomplish together. Coming off a 5^th place finish at Nationals and bringing in two very sold freshmen, gives us a lot of promise heading into next season and beyond."

Duquesne, which finished fifth in its first-ever appearance at the Intercollegiate Team Championships, ended the season ranked 20th nationally in the NTCA Top 25.


CRYSTAL ELLIOTT
5-5, Right, Melbourne, Fla./Eau Gallie

Before Duquesne

• Placed among the Top Eight of 440 bowlers in the U20 division of the 2019 Junior Gold Championships in Detroit, missing a Junior Team USA spot by just 32 pins.
• Two-time fourth place finisher at the Florida High School Athletic Association state championship.
• Was the 2017 district champion and 2016 & 2018 district runner-up.
• Posted a Brevard County girls records for high average (216.5) and high four-game total (946).
• Ended up tied for fifth out of 840 bowlers in the girls U20 division at the 2017 Junior Gold Championships in Cleveland, earning a spot on Junior Team USA for 2017-18.
• Finished 86th out of 856 bowlers at 2018 Junior Gold Championship in Dallas, Texas.
• Finished second at the 2017 Teen Masters in Richmond, Va.
• Finished third at 2017 U.S. High School Bowling Championships in Smyrna, Tenn.
• United States Bowling Congress Junior Team USA member 2017-18.
• Finished tenth at the 2018 Teen Masters.

Personal

• Also played soccer in high school.
• Plans to major in elementary education.

KIEARRA SALDI
5-5, Right, Taylor, Pa./Holy Cross

Before Duquesne

• Has posted a high average of 224, high series of 785 and high game of 300.
• Rolled her 300 as a 16-year-old junior, after posting a 299 when she was 15.
• Joe and John Minelli Memorial Scholarship 1st place (spring & fall 2015, fall 2016, spring & fall 2017 and spring 2018).
• Placed first at the District 8 Pennsylvania Pepsi Youth Championships four times (2014, 2016, 2017 & 2018).
• Pennsylvania Junior Bowling Tournament Top Female Bowler at Dutch Lanes Tournament (2018).
• Pennsylvania Junior Bowling Tournament Girls Only Tournament 1st place (fall 2018).
• Five-time Mike Meoni Memorial Award as MVP of the NLBC High School League.
• Had to win a wildcard spot to qualify for Eastern Pennsylvania Regionals since her high school didn't have a bowling team. Qualified fifth of 145 bowlers for the singles championship, where she finished second and qualified to compete at the PA State Championship. She shot a 279 in her final game, which was the high score of the tournament, on her way to finishing second overall.

Personal

• Began bowling at age 6.
• Her grandfather, Larry Sr., and father, Larry, were both competitive league bowlers.
• Plans to major in biomedical engineering.