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PRINCESS ANNE, Md.--Eager and ready to get to work, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) bowling squad begins their season with the Orange and Black Invite, hosted by Pikeville University in Dayton, Ohio this Saturday and Sunday. The tournament will not count towards NCAA statistics, but it gives a chance for a team that features eight newcomers to group together before getting deeper into their challenging schedule.

Although this is not an NCAA sanctioned event, the Hawks will still face many of the top United States Bowling Congress (USBC) opponents in the former stomping grounds of Coach Kayla Bandy, a former Pikeville standout bowler.

The two day tournament commences in Dayton on Saturday beginning at one in the afternoon, and completing with a 9:00a.m. start time on Sunday. Fans wishing to view the action can view the Hawks' featured pair via YouTube.

Bandy hopes to use the Pikeville tournament as an icebreaker for the young Hawks. "This is an exciting opportunity for the team to get to bowl tough competition before the NCAA season starts. It allows what is virtually an entirely new squad to bowl together before heading to New Jersey [for the FDU Jamboree]." said Bandy. "We are young, but we are going to be competitive."

And young it really is. For the first time in a decade, the Hawks return just two players from the previous squad, so the newcomers will be thrown to the lanes early and often, only getting better as the season progresses.

"I really made an effort to get experienced bowlers," said Bandy. "I was well aware that we were only returning two players so it was important, regardless of their actual age, that the young ladies I brought in had been bowling for some time and were ready to compete, day one."

The good news for Bandy is that those two returners will most likely bookend the Hawk lineup. Senior Thashaina Seraus (Oranjestad, Aruba), bowled her first collegiate season last year, but the international bowling veteran never missed a beat in Princess Anne, earning three All-America honors, a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Year nod and a First-Team selection. The star was more than just a great bowler, she performed well in the classroom as well, earning several All-Academic awards. Her story is well documented, a young mother whose son is home in Aruba. She showed the maturity that comes with parenthood, never getting rattled and leading UMES to a third straight and eighth overall MEAC Championship. That leadership trait is something Coach Bandy is counting on.

While Searus has all but cemented her spot as the anchor of the team, the other end of the lineup that Bandy will also have experience. Sophomore Melanie Copey (Ontario, N.Y.) is the likely candidate to be the lead-off bowler for UMES. She saw limited action last year with a veteran roster in front of her, but bowled in key matches, including a part in the 300 Baker match at Kutztown last season.

The middle of the lineup is where it gets new quickly. Bandy added heralded talent and state champions to her roster, reaching from North Carolina to Ohio to Indiana and even to Hawaii to bring in young ladies with state championships on their resume.

And of course, there should be no surprise that UMES recruited overseas as well, with the addition of Alexandra Hernandez (Maracaibo, Venezuela) and Quianna Macares (Willemstad, Curacao), who both tout international bowling on their resume.

Hernandez may have the most bowling experience, bowling internationally for some time, she has spent the last few years honing her craft all over the world. Macares is a very intelligent player, according to Bandy, something that helps her both on the lanes and in the classroom.

Bandy's American recruits also know their share of success. Also looking to make an immediate impact is Danielle August (Millani, Hawaii). She dominated prep bowling in her home state, winning the Oahu Interscholastic Association tournament three straight years. Another state champ, Kaci Collins (Mint Hill, N.C.), will also bring her talents to UMES. Collins went undefeated throughout league play, placing first in every singles event throughout her prep career, earned Bowler of the Year honors every year.

Signed in the early period, Haley Cummings (Huber Heights, Ohio) has been bowling competitively for Wayne High School near Dayton, earning a varsity letter in both bowling and softball each season. In her junior year, Cummings averaged a 222, earned numerous All-Tournament Team honors, led her team to a first place finish in their district and earned State Tournament honors. Another piece of the recruiting puzzle was Jacqueline Rhoda (Portage, Ind.). Like Cummings, Bandy signed Rhoda early. She was an Indiana State High School Bowler of the Year and averaged a 205 in her junior season, while also earning Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Peak Performer honors.

Bandy didn't stop there. Beyond her six signees, she added two walk-ons who come to the program looking to contribute. Jalesa Johnson (Delmar, Del.), a transfer from Delaware State who is also local and the daughter of a UMES alumn, will look to bring her collegiate experience to Princess Anne, contributing when called upon. Lindie Esteban (Kapolei, Hawaii) will also walk-on to the Hawks this season. She will serve as the only lefty on the roster this season, something Bandy was lacking.

"All of these young ladies are all very talented and very ready to bowl," said Bandy. "I expect them all to compete for a spot in the starting lineup and I am thrilled that we will have options in that lineup. Not everybody is on every day and knowing that whomever is bowling well can start, is a comfort as a coach. It is also exciting, because they wind up pushing each other to get better every day in practice and competition."

Despite the youthfulness of the team, Bandy believes the Hawks will retain the conference crown. "My goal is to win the MEAC and make both championship fields. Once we get to those events it is possible for any team to win," said Bandy. "I expect us to get better and better as the season goes on and I hope we are soaring come championship time."

Something UMES Bowling is no stranger to.