DOVER, Del. --- The Delaware State women's bowling team opens the 2022-23 season this weekend at the Bud Whitman Classic at Bowlerama in New Castle, Delaware hosted by Chestnut Hill College.
 
After a successful 2021-22 season, the Hornets along with head coach Elysia Current are excited and motivated to build on the foundation of what was accomplished last year. A team that saw top finishes both individually as well as a team, members of the Delaware State bowling program want to accomplish more this season.
 
Junior Saralyne Nassberg was asked about what the Hornets' goals are for the year and stated "The main focus this year is to be better than what we were last year. Every day in practice we are all working on our weaknesses so that they don't become weaknesses anymore. We put ourselves in uncomfortable situations so that when the moment arises, we are comfortable with handling it."
 
Delaware State bowling head coach Elysia Current was also asked about what her goals are for her team in 2022-23 and said, "My goals are the same as the girls: A Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship, going to NCAA Regionals, winning the regionals and advancing to final four. We know how last year ended and it's only motivated them to work harder and come together. I'm excited for the season ahead."
 
The Hornets return most of last season's roster including the reigning MEAC Rookie of the Year, Sydney Reardon. Delaware State will also be lead by upperclassmen bowlers Nassberg and Alyssa Breidegam. Emily Breidegam and Kelsey Cummings who had successful freshman campaigns will look to do the same in their sophomore seasons.
 
A three-time MEAC Rookie of the Week, Reardon claimed a couple top-10 finishes individually highlighted by a ninth-place finish at the Northeast Classic during her first season.
 
Nassberg's best finish of the 2021-22 season came at the Hawk Classic where she finished fourth in a field of 95 bowlers. Nassberg, who was named to the All-MEAC First Team as a sophomore, also landed on the National Ten Pin Coaches Association (NTCA) All-Region Second Team at season's end.
 
Alyssa Breidegam's top performance of her sophomore year came at the Stallings Invitational where she placed 15th overall.
 
Cummings made her presence known last year at MEAC #2 where she finished first overall allowing her to claim MEAC Rookie and Bowler of the Week awards that following week. Emily Breidegam, a two-time MEAC Rookie of the Week award winner tallied her best finish at the Stallings Invitational where she came in 18th place.
 
When asked about the amount of girls who returned this season, Alyssa Breidegam stated "I feel as though we're pretty solid collectively. We returned a good majority of the team from last year. We all have this unspoken chemistry within our group that works well in terms of how we play off each other. Everyone knows their role and knows what needs to be done to accomplish what we want to."
 
Delaware State also welcomes graduate transfer Sydney Urben who joins the Hornets from Mount Mercy University (Iowa).
 
The NTCA released its annual preseason poll earlier this week where Delaware State moved up to No. 12 from is previous spot of No. 13.
 
The Hornets open up the 2022-23 season with back-to-back weekend tournaments with the Bud Whitman Classic this weekend and then will be in action next weekend at the Mount Shootout hosted by Mount St. Mary's.