MILLSBORO, DEL – Thirteenth-ranked Duquesne rode a strong finish to place fifth in an impressive 18-team field at the Hawk Classic in Millsboro, Del. over the weekend.

The event, which showcased 14 ranked teams, consisted of five baker matches on Friday, followed by five traditional matches on Saturday and a Championship round on Sunday.

The Dukes were dominant on Sunday as the lineup of Ranelle Ulanday, Brenna Gleim, Morgan Brookover, Shannon Small and Kiearra Saldi dropped just two games in defeating #14 Maryland Eastern Shore (4-0), #5 Sam Houston (4-1) and #12 Delaware State (4-1) in succession.

The Dukes posted a 4,576 pin total in going 3-2 in Friday's baker round. The day was highlighted by a 943-929 win over No. 12 Delaware State. The 943 was DU's high total on the day. Duquesne also defeated Mercyhurst and Wilmington on day one.

DU opened traditional play with losses to #9 Youngstown State and #7 North Carolina A&T before rallying to defeat #23 Monmouth, Saint Francis U and #19 Morgan State. The Dukes posted a high pin total of 1008 in the Saint Francis U match with Ulanday (214), Small  (213) and Saldi (203) all topping the 200 pin mark.

Shannon Small, who had a high game of 215 vs. Monmouth, finished 21st overall with a 191.80 average. Morgan  Brookover was 29th (187.20) and Kiearra Saldi 31st (185.60). Ranelle Ulanday placed 38th (181.60).

DU was seventh with a 9,122 pin total (4,576 baker and 4,546 traditional) entering Sunday's Championship Round.

Duquesne (30-14) will conclude the fall portion of the 2022-23 schedule at NEC Meet #2 scheduled for Dec. 3-4 at Bowlero North Brunswick in North Brunswick, N.J.  


BAKER ROUND (3-2)
Friday, Nov. 18

Match 1
#13 Duquesne 855, Mercyhurst 779 (W)

Match 2
#13 Duquesne 936, Wilmington 822 (W)

Match 3
#11 Mount St. Mary's 1017, #13 Duquesne 913 (L)

Match 4
#13 Duquesne 943, #12 Delaware State 929 (W)

Match 5
#14 Maryland Eastern Shore 947, #13 Duquesne 929 (L)


TRADITIONAL ROUND (3-2)
Saturday, Nov. 19

Match 6
#9 Youngstown State 999, #13 Duquesne 931 (L)
Ranelle Ulanday paces the Dukes with a 215

Match 7
#7 North Carolina A&T 926, #13 Duquesne 827 (L)
Kiearra Saldi leads DU with a 204

Match 8
#13 Duquesne 867, #23 Monmouth 867 (W) (95-83 tiebreaker)
Shannon Small leads the way with a 215

Match 9
#13 Duquesne 1008, Saint Francis U 800 (W)
Ulanday (214), Morgan Brookover (213) and Saldi (203) all top 200 as the Dukes post their high weekend traditional pin total

Match 10
#13 Duquesne 913, #19 Morgan State (W)
Saldi with a 212


CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (3-0)

Match 11
#13 Duquesne 4, #14 Maryland Eastern Shore 0 (W)
180-159, 165-148, 163-136, 190-141

Match 12
#13 Duquesne 4, #5 Sam Houston 1
183-156, 179-224, 195-174, 208-181, 202-195

Match 13
#13 Duquesne 4, #12 Delaware State 1
168-159, 205-182, 191-208, 193-180, 169-160