Bellmore-Merrick Girls Bowling Ousted by Levittown

The Bellmore-Merrick girls bowling team battled tough against the defending state champion girls of Levittown Division on Thursday, but were eventually swept 11-0.

The Lady Dragons won all three games to top Bellmore-Merrick 2,087-1,783.

"This was our toughest match up by far," head coach Keri Cinelli said. "I was missing one of my top girls on varsity today, and when you miss one bowler, it really hurts."  

In the opening game, Calhoun senior Nicole Celauro bowled a solid 158. Mepham senior Laura Rooney followed right behind with a 148. Mepham senior Victoria Sorrentino and Calhoun senior Kate Brown bowled a 135 and 132, respectively. Levittown took the first game, 695-573.  

Celauro bowled a team-high 170 in the next game with Rooney close behind her again with a score of 162. Sorrentino improved from her opening score with a 152. Mepham junior Paige Laupheimer came into the match and bowled a 103 as Levittown widened its lead with a 736-587 win.  

Rooney was the high roller for Bellmore-Merrick in the third game with a 164, followed by Celauro with a 162. Brown came back into the match and improved her first score by 25 pins, bowling a 157. Sorrentino wrapped up the scoring with a 140. Although Bellmore-Merrick closed the gap in the final frame, Levittown completed the sweep with a score of 656-623.  

"They had a lot of skill and talent, but we hung in tough against them," Cinelli said.

Celauro led her team in two out of the three games and nearly led again in the final go-around.  

"They were a very tough team to beat, but we have done it before though," Celauro said. "We still have a great team with a lot of seniors and we are looking very strong this year."  

Bellmore-Merrick will attempt to rebound against Wantagh next Monday at 4:15 p.m. at the South Levittown Lanes.