Girls Bowling Strikes Back to Make Finals
Senior Cheyenne Xiao rolls a strike at Funfest Lanes. Photo: Continental Studios
By IRIS LIN and CHLOE CHO
Chloe Cho is a member of the Girls Varsity Bowling team.
The Girls Bowling team finished the season with an undefeated record, first overall in the city, their best performance in 14 years. However, the Hornets’ journey ended in the finals on November 23, where they lost 2-1 to New Dorp at Rab’s Country Lanes.
The Hornets lost the A game 625-613, falling short by a narrow 12 pins, but the B team pulled through with a 498-483 win. With a decisive C match left to play, there was a glimmer of hope for Midwood. Unfortunately, New Dorp raced to the finish line before the Hornets could catch up, and the girls ultimately lost 643-578.
Mr. Michael Giordano, the team’s head coach, said, “Certainly losing in the playoffs is upsetting, and to be one game away from city champions stings a little more. Although we played very well, perhaps our best collective effort of the season, we came up short.”
“I was heartbroken, especially because we were so close to the finish line, but we gave it everything we had,” said senior Tiffany Tan, the team’s captain.
“I was really disappointed and sad that we lost,” said Cheyenne Xiao ‘25, an A team bowler. “There were multiple times I thought of all the missing spares I could have picked up, but we gave it our all.”
The tie-breaking game was tight, with Chloe Liu ‘25, the A team’s anchor, knocking down pins like dominoes, with four strikes total. However, New Dorp pulled off strike after strike, with Cougar Leah Mazzoni bowling a 201.
Mr. Giordano said, “New Dorp did exactly what they needed to do, play their best game to date on championship day.”
Previously, in round two, Midwood took an easy 3-0 win over New Utrecht and advanced to the quarterfinals. The A team crushed their opponents 600-472, while the B team bowled a 498-355. Junior Neri Liu led the game with an astounding 183 pins, her all-time best.
“I was surprised and proud of myself, and it encouraged me to do better in the next game,” she said.
In the quarterfinals, the girls triumphed with a 3-0 win over Telecommunication Arts and Technology. The A team won 565-462 and the B team took the slight edge, 418-392.
“Quarterfinals was a little stressful,” said Tan. “I knew I wasn't on top of my game, but I’m glad the team was able to pull through.”
In the semifinals, the girls prevailed in the Battle of Bedford with a 3-0 win over James Madison. The game was opened by a strike from Tan, and Chloe Liu delivered a jaw-dropping five strikes in a row, setting her new season high at 234. The A team’s 681-509 win gave the rest of the squad a positive momentum.
Tan described this battle as the “most exciting game we have ever played.”
During the B match, senior Sophia Luo threw a strike, followed by a spare and two more strikes, bowling her season high of 166, bringing the final score to 511-413.
“It wasn’t our first time playing against Madison, so it made me less nervous,” she said.
Before the team playoffs, Tan, Xiao, Luo, Chloe Liu, and junior Chloe Cho (one of this article’s authors) participated in borough individuals.
Chloe Liu placed first in Brooklyn and bowled in city individuals, placing third with a 529 series.
“Boroughs were really chill; I don't think there was anyone who was statistically going to beat me,” she said. “City individuals were rough since I wasn't used to the alley, but overall it was a good experience.”
Being number one in the city requires teamwork, and Midwood’s team is stacked. Chloe Liu, a star bowler, averaged 186 pins in the regular season while Tan and Xiao averaged around 125. Every game this season was light work for the girls, who often crushed their opponents 3-0.
The team credited Mr. Giordano for their achievements in and out of the alley.
Tan said, “Gio has always been our biggest advocate and supporter. He motivates us to do better and creates a fun environment for us at practice.”
“Coach has taught me a lot during my three years on the team," said Xiao. “He emphasizes the importance of teamwork and being in the right mindset. He helped me improve my mistakes, fix my form, and create an environment where players felt encouraged.”
“I want them to learn a sport, appreciate hard work and effort, and just be part of something that I feel is going be notable for many, many years to come,” said Mr. Giordano.
Sadly, five seniors will be graduating this year, which is more than half the team. Although this leaves uncertainty for the team’s fate the following year, the girls remain optimistic about the new members who will join.
“I expect there to be a lot of new faces and that they'll be able to surpass what our year has done,” said Chloe Liu.
“Hopefully the team can rebuild and continue our legacy,” said Tan. “I can’t wait to see what they bring to the table.”
“[I hope to] meet more talented people joining our team to keep up the great work we’ve had this year,” said Neri Liu.
“We’re going to be looking at some returning bowlers to take charge who hopefully will play a pivotal role in our team next year,” said Mr. Giordano. “There is a lot to do moving forward, graduating most of our team, but I believe these seniors have left a culture and expectation that will be felt for years to come.”
It isn’t easy to leave behind their underclassmen and the sport they dedicated their high school years to, but the girls say that they have learned important lessons, from teamwork to patience.
“Looking back,” Xiao said, “it's been the most rewarding experience of my life. I've seen how much I grew, not just in skill but also in my ability to stay calm under pressure. I've learned to trust my teammates more and to focus on the process, not just the results.”
Although the season didn’t conclude the way the team wanted to, needless to say, they etched their way into Midwood’s bowling history.
“Always keep a positive mindset, no matter the score,” Tan said. “And most importantly, savor every moment and every win. It goes by faster than you think.”
The team huddles up before their match against New Utrecht on November 15. Photo: Iris Lin