Pittsburgh, Pa. – According to a poll of Northeast Conference (NEC) head coaches, the Duquesne University bowling team has been picked as the preseason favorite for the 2026-27 season. The Dukes earned three first-place votes. Picked second is Niagara, which earned five first-place votes, followed by Mercyhurst, Monmouth, FDU, Le Moyne, LIU and Wagner in the poll.
Led by head coach
Jody Fetterhoff, who has guided Duquesne to the NCAA Championship in four of the last six years, the Dukes claimed their
first NEC Tournament crown with 2-0 victories over Monmouth and Mercyhurst in consecutive matches last season to earn their first automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. Overall, Duquesne closed the 2025-26 season with a record of 63-47 (.573), including a 17-7 (.708) ledger in NEC play that earned a share of the 2026 NEC regular-season title.
The Dukes welcome back five bowlers from a year ago, including 2026 All-NEC First Team selection
Maribeth Baker as well as sophomores
Taylor Miller and
Jazmyn Scott, who each were named to the 2026 All-NEC Rookie Team. Baker entered the 2026-27 season with a USBC career average of 204.4, which ranks second all-time in the program's 10-year history.
Duquesne opened its 11th season of NCAA Division I competition by
finishing second at the Mercyhurst Invitational and returns to action this weekend by traveling to Struthers, Ohio, to
take part in the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic, which is hosted by Youngstown State at Holiday Bowl. Overall in program history, the Dukes have amassed a record of 608-376 (.618), including a mark of 129-75 (.632) against NEC foes.
The Dukes also entered the 2026-27 campaign ranked
16th in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Top 25 poll, marking the 45th consecutive poll Duquesne has been ranked in the NTCA Top 25 dating back to 2018.
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