Lancaster’s Julie Dolegala warms up before a game versus Williamsville North Monday at Transit Lanes. Lancaster improved to 8-1 on Monday with its second win over the Spartans in a week. Photo by Scott SchildPurchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com It’s been a successful season for the Lancaster girls bowling team. The Lady Redskins are currently 8-1 after victories against Williamsville North on both Thursday and Monday of this past week. The strong record has Lancaster in first place in ECIC Division I.

Lancaster head coach Karen Teichmann stressed, though, that it has not been an easy road for the Lady Redskins. Many of Lancaster’s matches have been won by total pin count, including close victories over Orchard Park and Sweet Home. Lancaster edged out Orchard Park by 14 and Sweet Home by just 15 pins. Teichmann said this shows her team is capable of dealing with adversity and coming through in the clutch.

“I think that speaks to the character of our team,” Teichmann said. “We are determined and never give up. We fight until the last ball is thrown.”

The Lady Redskins have been led in part by their two seniors - Alissa Schultz and Shannon Frier. Schultz currently owns a a team-best average of 186. She bowled a 649 set in Lancaster’s win over Sweet Home.

Schultz’s 186 gives her a top-five average in ECIC I. Joining her in the top five is teammate Julie Dolegala. She owns a 184 average. The performances of Schultz and Dolegala led the Lady Redskins to victories over Williamsville North on Thursday and Monday to expand their lead in ECIC I.

Lancaster still has three tough matches remaining on the schedule as they host Orchard Park at Lancaster Lanes Thursday at 4 p.m. before taking on Clarence and Frontier on Monday and Thursday next week.

Meanwhile, the Lancaster boys team also earned back-to-back victories over Williamsville North to move over .500 with a 5-4 record. Lancaster was dominant in a 6-1 victory over Williamsville North last Wednesday at Transit Lanes. They returned to Transit Lanes on Monday for a rematch and again emerged victorious with a 4-3 victory. Chris Krueger led the way with a 640 high set for the Redskins.

The Redskins were following the same schedule as the girls team as they prepare to host Orchard Park on Thursday before matches with Clarence and Frontier next week.

At St. Mary’s, the girls team completed its season last week as they finished in fifth place overall in the Monsignor Martin Association. The Lady Lancers went to the All-Catholic Championships at Thruway Lanes last Thursday and finished sixth with 1,592 points.

The Lady Lancers did have a bowler make the All-Catholic team as Miranda Chojecki earned First Team honors based on season play. Chojecki had the league’s high game and high set for the season with a 253 game and a 665 set. She also finished with the second highest average in the league. This was the fourth-straight year Chojecki was named to the All-Catholic team.

As for St. Mary’s boys team, the Lancers are preparing for the All-Catholic tournament at Thruway Lanes on Feb. 9. They earned a 3-0 victory over Christian Central last Thursday. The Lancers face Cardinal O’Hara on Thursday at Thruway Lanes this week.

St. Mary’s Rob Runk has bowled a 256 game in each of the last two weeks and Steve Romance bowled a 268 with a 699 set during the second week of January. A.J. Blaszak also had the high set for the league on the season with a 739. email: mmigliore@beenews.com