EAST HAVEN, Conn. – The LIU bowling team finished second at the annual Sacred Heart Bowl for a Cure event Saturday night. The Sharks actually tied for first with Molloy, finishing team play with a 4-1 record, but earned second in the standings because of the tiebreaker. Additionally, senior Tyler Karpinecz was named Tournament MVP for her performance in the team event, and finished third in the individual competition to lead LIU.
 
The Sharks started the day with a win over Caldwell, 928-916. Junior Patricia Kelly had a team-high 225, while Karpinecz had a 209. The next match proved to be the difference on the day, as LIU fell to Molloy head-to-head, losing by just seven pins, 808-815. But the Sharks would bounce back in their next match, beating Bloomfield handily, 981-871. Karpinecz led LIU with a 237, while sophomore Rhianna Smith had a 211.
 
Smith then led LIU in their next match, a 931-824 win over Adelphi; Smith bowled a 227. And it was freshman Brittany Lucci who led LIU in their final match of the day, as the Sharks beat NEC opponent Sacred Heart. LIU out-bowled the host Pioneers, 880-835, with Lucci registering a 236.
 
Senior Tyler Karpinecz finished first in traditional averages in the team competition, earning tournament MVP honors. And Rhianna Smith was second in the standings, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
 
With their performances, both Karpinecz and Smith earned spots in the individual championship tournament. Smith fell in the first round, 146-159 against Amber Torvund of Adelphi. Karpinecz kept her success rolling, advancing to the semifinals, before ultimately finishing third overall. She first beat Victoria Johnson from Bloomfield, 201-174, before beating Colby Jones from Sacred Heart, 235-170. But in the semifinals, she fell to the eventual champion, Christine Warmingham from Molloy, 182-210.
 
Up next, the Sharks will take part in the Caldwell Classic, Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27 in Rockaway, N.J.