The National Tenpin Coaches' Association released their All-Region teams Wednesday afternoon with the Lakers claiming a pair of spots. Graduate student Haley Youker and senior Samantha Strebel were both named to an all-region team with Youker being a member of the first team and Strebel and honorable mention.
Youker proved to be the cream of the crop for Mercyhurst in the lanes this season, leading the team in various categories. She was the best bowler in baker games with a team-leading fill percentage of 84.4% while averaging over 20 pins per frame and a first ball of 9.08. Her work in team play was great as well as she had a fill percentage of 84.2% for the second-highest on the team and a first ball of 9.06 for the highest. Youker once again had an average frame of over 20 pins, being the only Lakers to do so this season while collecting 559 strikes overall and adding in the first 300 game in the program's history.
Her efforts were not lost on the part of the ECC as she was named the Bowler of the Week on five different occasions, including back-to-back weeks in October. She was also named to the All-ECC First Team and the conference's Bowler of the Year as the pile of awards and accolades continues to build.
When talking about the senior Coach Machuga said that: "Haley has been the key component to our program since day one. I'm extremely happy for her that she gets the recognition for an amazing season and career. She'll forever be Mercyhurst Bowling's #1 Lefty".
Strebel joined Youker on the All-ECC First Team for her performance on the season. The native of Harrisville, Ut. proved to be a steady presence in Machuga's lineup all season long with her veteran leadership being a key to the Laker's success.
Coach also mentioned Strebel: "Nobody works harder than Sami. She was a soccer player growing up and really didn't take bowling seriously until college. I am forever grateful that she chose a leap of faith in coming all the way from Utah to pursue collegiate bowling and her trust in my coaching. It is so great to see all of her hard work paying off".
