Lady Leafs ready for a historic run

Geneseo Coach Michael Ostrowski has big expectations for the Lady Leafs’ bowling program this season.

Geneseo finished eighth last season at regional, but Emily Pobanz ended her season one pin shy of qualifying for the state tournament individually.

A ninth-place finisher at sectionals last season, Pobanz returns to lead the Lady Leafs this season.

“Knowing how close Emily was last year and how close the team was two years ago at sectionals,” Ostrowski said. “We are expecting big things out of the girls this year.”

Geneseo returns five bowlers with varsity experience in Emma Kass, Delaney Ostrowski, Karis Ostrowski, Jenah Hart, Breann Keller and Pobanz.

“We should have a very deep girls team as far as the varsity is concerned,” Ostrowski said. “We are going to have a good fight for that last spot.”

After starting the season posting great numbers, Ostrowski saw the team hit a lull during January which they didn’t really recover from.

Two years ago, Geneseo qualified for sectionals as a team but last season the Lady Leafs fell short of a return visit with just Pobanz qualifying for sectionals.

Ostrowski believes the biggest challenge Geneseo faced last year was just getting over the nerves of being the new team.

“We saw a mentality from some of the younger girls last year of being intimidated by who else was in the building instead of bowling their own game,” Ostrowski said. “I think they have a different mindset this year.”

Geneseo’s new mindset comes with a whole new look on the lanes this season.

The Lady Leafs will debut new uniforms which included skits.

“They said all the good teams wear skirts,” Ostrowski said. “If that’s what it takes to put them in that frame of mind of a championship caliber team then we will wear skits.”

The Lady Leafs will open the season on the road at the Rock Island Invitational on Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Highland Park Bowl in Moline at 9 a.m.

Geneseo will host their home opener at Lee’s Lanes against Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 4 starting at 4 p.m.

Lady Leafs’ bowlers

Seniors

Delaney Ostrowski, Emily Pobanz, Rachel Vondra, Molly McGill, Adi Nesbitt and Emily Henson.

Juniors

Brooke Sproston, Mary Thomas, Grace Moore, Karis Ostrowski, Madison Kensinger and Emma Kass.

Sophomores

Jenah Hart, Breann Keller, Miranda Roemer, Tricia Elden, Jenna Morrone, Keeton Lawrence and Olivia Mosbarger.

Freshmen

Katelynn Emerick, Alex Buyck and Madison Holevoet.

Coach: Michael Ostrowski. Assistant Coaches: Denny Lynch and Chris Pruett.

Lady Leafs’ bowling schedule

Nov. 24    Rock Island Invite    Highland Park Bowl, Moline    9 a.m.

Nov. 27    Geneseo at Yorkville    Yorkville Bowl    4 p.m.

Dec. 1    Kewanee Invite    Dura Bowl    9 a.m.

Dec. 4    Ottawa at Geneseo    Lee’s Lanes    4 p.m.

Dec. 8    Geneseo at United Township    TBA    9:30 a.m.

Dec. 11    Geneseo at DeKalb    Mardi Gras    4 p.m.

Dec. 13    Kaneland at Geneseo    Lee’s Lanes    4 p.m.

Dec. 15    DeKalb Invite    Mardi Gras    9 a.m.

Dec. 28    GHS Holiday Invitational    Lee’s Lanes    9 a.m.

Jan. 3    Geneseo at Sterling    Blackhawk Lanes    4 p.m.

Jan. 5    Buccaneer Invite    Cherry Bowl, Rockford    9 a.m.

Jan. 8    Morris at Geneseo    Lee’s Lanes    4 p.m.

Jan. 12    Moline Invite    TBA    9 a.m.

Jan. 15    LaSalle-Peru at Geneseo    Lee’s Lanes    4 p.m.

Jan. 21    MLK Bowling Invite    Blackhawk Lanes    TBA

Jan. 22    Geneseo at Rochelle    T-Byrd Lanes    4 p.m.

Jan. 26    Dixon Bowling Invite    Plum Hollow Family Center    9 a.m.

Jan. 29    Geneseo at Sycamore    Mardi Gras    4 p.m.

Jan. 31    NIB 12 meet hosted by Rochelle    T-Byrd Lanes    TBA

Editor's note: Due to an issue with the pages being duplicated, we will be rerunning this story in its entirety in the Nov. 16 edition. The Geneseo Republic apologizes for the error.