The girls bowling team is hoping to strike out at the Carterville Sectional on Feb. 9. The team rolled their way into third place at the IHSA Regional Tournament, qualifying the team for the sectionals.

Senior Rachel McTague has bowled since her freshman year and is proud of how the team has improved since then.

“Senior year has been the best. We are getting the highest games we’ve had,” McTague said. “Making it to sectionals as a team has been a dream come true.”

McTague’s 6-game total of 1096 pins helped bring the Tigers to their third place finish on Feb. 2. She was the highest scorer for Edwardsville, ranking 10th overall. She thinks the team is ready for their upcoming match.

“I think we need to practice well and believe that we will do well,” McTague said. “We also need a good night’s sleep.”

Senior Sydney Sahuri is ready to see her team fight for the sectional championship on Saturday. Sahuri qualified for state last year as an individual, but she’s ready to qualify with her team.

“I’m so proud of the team this year,” Sahuri said. “We finally made it as a team to sectionals and I can’t wait for that. I think we did a really good job this year.”

With 1077 pins, she landed in 14th place. Among other top-20 finishers was junior Rylee Langendorf with 1033 pins. Two years ago, team members seldom averaged over 800 pins, according to senior Maren McSparin.

“This year, we have had a few 900 games and averaged in the 800s,” McSparin said. “It hasn’t just been our pin count that has improved, but our knowledge and understanding.”

McSparin says that making it to sectionals proves how the team has strived to leave a mark on the Southwestern Conference.

“Being the first girls team to make it to sectionals has also been exciting for our team,” McSparin said. “I am extremely proud to be a part of this team.”