West Orange girls bowling team shows perfect form

By Jennifer Nesslar
| 9:38 a.m. October 1, 2015

Sports

WINTER GARDEN — The undefeated West Orange Warriors girls bowling team (8-0) has one goal in mind: states.

Last year’s 14-3 team came in third place at districts, one place shy of their goal.

Can they go to states this year? Team captain Madelin Zubricky thinks so.

“I think we are highly capable of doing it, but we have to get there first,” she said. “We have to work to be able to.”

The team certainly has put in its share of work already, and it’s reflected in its record so far. This summer, nearly all team members participated in bowling leagues, usually hosted through local bowling alleys. These leagues are independent of the varsity team and have proven to be a big help for the bowlers.

West Orange’s top three bowlers, Zubricky, Marina Vorobyeva and Kristyn Burbano, are averaging more than 170 each game, according to head coach Rudy Zubricky, who is also Madelin’s father.

In recent years, the team has a legacy of success. In the past six years, the team has posted a 90-6 record, and Madelin thinks the team is destined for another strong season. The key to the team’s success is confidence in each other, she said — an attribute its members have developed since the beginning of the season.

“We’d lost three seniors (from last season), and everything was just a little new,” she said. “And then, throughout the matches, we’d see certain people really come alive and throw a strike when we needed it, spare when it was big. So we all know that we are all capable.”

Marina Vorobyeva said teammates are good about encouraging one another. But the team also has helped her improve her game, both physically and mentally. Although she cheers for her team during the game, when she steps up to bowl, she has learned to block everything around her out.

“The mental game is very important,” Vorobyeva said.

To qualify for states, Rudy Zubricky said the younger bowlers will need to continue improving. At districts, the team will must perform under pressure.

“The bottom line is we’re going to have to beat Circle Christian and Winter Park,” he said.

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AT A GLANCE

2015 RECORD: (as of Sept. 28): 8-0

2015 TEAM: Madelin Zubricky, Marina Vorobyeva, Kristyn Burbano, Jordan Kelley, Myriah Speller, Devyn Le, Kristin Gussewelle, Chelsea Keyes and Grace Spitkulski.