KUTZTOWN, PA (March 25, 2010) – Kutztown University sophomore Kayla Jones was named to the Northeast Conference (NEC) all-tournament team, which was announced on Thursday evening following a vote of the league’s eight head coaches.
Jones helped Kutztown advance into the semifinal round of the NEC postseason tournament for a second straight year. The 2009 NEC Rookie of the Year adds the all-tournament team accolade to her trophy case after posting a .508 strike percentage over four best-of-seven baker matches. She rolled 32 strikes in 63 attempts. Jones accounted for a 19.4 frame average and filled 44 of 51 frames bowled.
“I was really surprised when coach (Joe) Ambrose told me,” Jones said. “I thought he was joking and I didn’t believe him. It took me a few seconds to realize he was serious. There were a lot of strong girls in the league this year and I wasn’t expecting the honor at all.”
In 53 games this season, Jones averaged 183.49 pins. She had a memorable season for the Golden Bears. Jones earned co-MVP honors of the Kutztown Invitational in January. She averaged 220.67 during the six traditional matches of the tournament.
“We are very excited that Kayla was recognized and made the all-tournament team,” Kutztown coach Joe Ambrose said “She was the only player named that was not on the two teams that made the finals. KJ and Kayla Stamm were both solid in the 4th and 5th positions, with KJ in the Anchor position most of the weekend. Both KJ and Stamm led the NEC Championships in total frames bowled with 51 each.”
Joining Jones on the all-tournament team was Marissa Gagliardi (Sacred Heart), Sarah Pelletier (Sacred Heart), Sara Litteral (Fairleigh Dickinson), and Danielle McEwan (Fairleigh Dickinson). Gagliardi was voted as most valuable player.
“I wasn’t thinking about making the team at all during the championship tournament,” Jones said. “I was more focused on being able to finish the year on a good note.”
--KU--