The defending league champions came out strong in their first Metro League match of the season.

The girls bowling team defeated Swartz Creek 29-1 on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Richfield Bowl.

They started off with a Baker win at 176 and 216 against the Dragon’s 141 and 182, creating a 10-0 lead.

Kearsley won the team total pinfall in the individual games 1,055 to 837.

Senior Barbara Hawes led the Hornets with a 278, while junior Alexis Roof assisted with a 252.

Junior Mary Wheeler led the second individual game with a 204 game as the girls had a 954 to Swartz Creek’s 780.

The total pinfall of the match was 2,401 to 1,940.

L’Anse Creuse Singles Tournament

The girls bowling team also finished fifth at the L’Anse Creuse Singles Tournament with Hawes and Roof making the All-Tournament team.

The tournament took place at the Imperial Lanes in Clinton Township on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Three out of the seven bowlers made the cut to the final 32: senior Barbara Hawes, junior Alexis Roof, and senior Karlee Griffin.

Roof was later eliminated by a player from Warren Cousino in the first round of match play.

Griffin and Hawes reached the final 16, but Griffin lost a close match to a player from Sterling Heights Stevenson.

Hawes was able to make it to the final eight.

The match came down to the final frame and final ball as Hawes bowed out by one pin with a 195 to 194 loss to a girl from Macomb Dakota.

The team’s next match will be a Metro League contest against Owosso on Monday, Dec. 4.