Dover (Nov. 8, 2009) --- The reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion Delaware State bowling team is off to a flying start in defense of its title. The Hornets won nine of 10 matches in the opening MEAC North competition of the 2009-10 season in Hampton, Va., this weekend.  

Delaware State posted a 5-0 mark in regular team games and was 4-1 in Baker matches during the competition.

The Hornets began the weekend with victories over Hampton (990-865), Howard (1163-936), Coppin State (1053-857), Morgan State (1000-893) and UMES (1024-961) in regular team play on Saturday.

Senior Kalyn Washburn led the Hornets with a total pinfall of 1124 in five games (224.8), topping the 200-mark in each game. She rolled a season-high 254 in the UMES match. Freshman Nicole Bower had a total of 1045 in five games (209.0). She posted a team season-high 269 in game two vs. Howard. Junior Angela Reynolds had a five-game total of 1024 (204.8), with a high of 234. Freshman Jasmine Iler had three 200+ performances and 868 total pinfall in four games (217.0 avg.), including a high of 241. 

Delaware State was 4-1 in Baker matches on Sunday. The Hornets recorded Baker wins over Howard (794-648), Hampton (686-678), Morgan State (760-712) and Coppin State (805-574), while suffering its lone defeat to UMES (736-701).

The Delaware State bowling team was picked to finish second behind UMES in the 2009-10 MEAC North race, according to the preseason poll of league head coaches and sports information representatives.

The Hornets, ranked sixth in the 2009-10 National Tenpins Coaches Association preseason poll, are 18-5 this season, including 11-1 in Baker format matches. 

The next MEAC North competition is set for next weekend (Nov. 14-15) at the Mid-County Bowling and Entertainment Center in Middletown, Delaware.