Season Preview: 2024-25 Women's Bowling

Milligan women's bowling enters another season with huge expectations after their fifth-place finish at the NAIA National Championships in 2023-24
Milligan women's bowling enters another season with huge expectations after their fifth-place finish at the NAIA National Championships in 2023-24
October 25, 2024

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The Milligan University women's bowling team is looking forward to the chance to go to even greater heights in the 2024-25 season after posting a fifth-place finish at the NAIA National Championships in 2023-24.  

"I'm very proud of our fifth-place finish from last season," said head coach Brian Rickert, "but I still feel like we have yet to reach our full potential. If a few things go our way this year I think it could be really special."  

The Buffs open the season on the road, competing at the Greater Nashville Open beginning on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Smyrna, Tenn. 

2023-24 Season Reviews: 

Milligan women's bowling has made itself known across the country over the last two seasons. They are now coming off back-to-back appearances at the NAIA National Championships, and they have even higher aspirations this season.

The Milligan women went through the 2023-24 season gaining a lot of attention for their impressive finishes. The Lady Buffs had an stellar showing at the Columbia 300 Hoosier Classic finishing sixth out of 66 teams. The Lady Buffs would go on to finish second in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Championships. The squad earned an automatic bid to the NAIA Championship and finished fifth.

Championship Review: 

The Lady Buffs were awarded the six seed at the final site. The Buffs began with a 4-1 win over No. 11 Indiana Tech, followed by a 4.5-2.5 victory over No. 3 St. Francis (Ill.). The Lady Buffs fell to eventual runner up No. 2 Pikeville 4-2, and were ultimately knocked out by No. 5 St. Xavier in the elimination bracket. 

This was the second straight appearance at the national tournament for the Lady Buffs, improving on their ninth-place finish from 2022-23.      

Looking at the Schedule:

There will be a total of five Tier 1 tournaments on this season's schedule for the squad, with the first being the Bowlero Southern in Marietta, Ga. on Nov. 2-3. Three weeks later, the team travels to the Collegiate Team Match Games in Fairview Heights, Ill. Then, another three-week layoff leads to the Glenn Carlson in Las Vegas, Nev. on Dec. 18-19 and the Collegiate Shootout that weekend on Dec. 20-21 in Vegas. Later in the winter, the team returns to a Tier 1 competition at the lauded Hoosier Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 15-16.

The teams head to the NAIA Southeast Regional tournament on Feb. 1-2 in Atlanta, Ga., which will help prepare them for the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Championships in Savannah, Ga. on Feb. 21-22. The NAIA National Championships come a month later from Mar. 20-22 in Sterling Heights, Mich., where the Buffaloes look to improve upon their already outstanding finishes from last campaign.

2024-25 Season Outlook: 

Women's: 

The Milligan Lady Buffs Bowling squad has high expectations heading into the 2024-25 season. "The amount of experience we bring back this season is key to us making another run at the National Championship," remarked Rickert. "After two runs at the red banner in their first two years, the ladies believe they understand the level of work it takes, and that we can finally get over the last hurdle and bring it home. The leadership and energy that our captains Allison Robbins, Emily Cheesman and Taylor Davis bring to this squad is infectious and really drives this team." 

Key Returners

  • Allison Robbins- Senior (Captain)
  • Emily Cheesman- Junior (Captain) 2022-23 Second Team NAIA All American
  • Taylor Davis- Junior (Captain) 
  • Laci MacQuisten- Junior
  • Emilee Horton- Junior 
  • Emily King- Sophomore 

Newcomers 2024-25

  • Emilea Sturk- Senior (Transfer from Florida A&M)
  • Gracie Wyatt- Graduate Student (Transfer from Midway) 
  • Makayla Pounds- (Transfer from Midway)
  • Taylor Phillips- Freshman 
  • Gianna Bringham- Freshman 

"With such a big group of returners, our newcomers can focus on filling their roles and doing what they do best," said coach Rickert. "Both Emilea and Gracie bring a tremendous amount of experience, and I expect both Taylor and Gianna have the talent to even contribute at the varsity level at some point this season. This is the deepest squad we've had in our three years."

Last Words from Coach: 

"Our focus this year is to remember what God sees in us individually and that He designed us for a purpose," stated Rickert. "If we focus on that purpose, drown out the naysayers in the crowd and in our heads, and listen to the Spirit tell us who we are...and we pull out every ounce of drive, determination, grit, blood, sweat, love and teamwork...I know in my heart we can reach another level."