Mustangs Fall in Semifinals of NAIA National Championships

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - The Mustang women's bowling team fell in the semifinals of the NAIA National Championships, and racked up plenty of postseason awards on the weekend.

The Mustangs got started with a first round loss to Pikeville (Ky.), which would move them down into the elimination bracket. From there, in hopes of a national title, the Mustangs would have to win six straight matches. In their first round of the elimination, the team fended off St. Xavier before eliminating fellow Heart opponent William Penn, setting up a pivotal matchup with top-ranked SCAD Savannah. The Mustangs would go on to defeat the top seed before ultimately falling to tournament runner-up Concordia (Mich.).

On the weekend, head coach Andy Diercks was honored as the NAIA women's bowling Coach of the Year, marking the first head coach in the history of Mount Mercy athletics to receive the honor. Brooke Salzman earned the NAIA Player of the Year, while also earning first team All-American. Nada Abdul Jalil and Jaelle Hamman earned second team All-American, while Chloe Day was named the Champion of Character.

The Mustangs look ahead to the USBC ITC Finals, taking place in Las Vegas in April.