The Upper Iowa women's bowling team made their long-awaited return to the lanes this weekend at the Bearcat Open. The event took place at St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, Illinois.
 
Eleven teams participated in the event hosted by McKendree University. The tournament's format featured team Baker matches on Friday, traditional team matches on Saturday, and wrapped up with bracket play on Sunday.
 
The Peacocks would go on to finish in eighth place with an overall record of 5-7. They knocked over 4,428 pins in the team Baker matches, 5,352 pins in the traditional matches, and 1,814 pins during bracket play for a tournament total of 11,594 pins.
 
On Friday, sandwiched between losses to #1 McKendree and #21 University of Central Missouri, UIU rattled off three straight wins vs. Quincy University, Tusculum University, and Kentucky Wesleyan. The Peacocks initially tied with Quincy at 829 pins each, but successfully outlasted the Hawks in the tiebreaker 85-72.
 
On Saturday, UIU were victorious in their first match vs. Mercyhurst University 949-897 before dropping decisions to #24 Lincoln Memorial University, #15 Maryville University, and #3 University of Nebraska. Prior to bracket play on Sunday, the Peacocks defeated Newman University 873-851.
 
In round one, UIU drew a rematch with Maryville. The Peacocks won the first two games, but the Saints responded by winning the next four to take the match. UCM would eliminate UIU in the following round by sweeping the first four matches.
 
Individually, Aubrey Kiddle finished eighth amongst all competitors with a total of 1,249 pins across six games, averaging 208.17 pins per game. Michaela Morgan finished 19^th with a total of 1,163 pins across six games and an average of 193.93 pins per game. Emma Hawley rounded out the Peacocks in the top 25 with a total of 1,095 pins across six games and an average of 182.5 per game.
 
"Our ladies worked together on the lanes and made excellent shots during each match," said Head Coach Nichole DePaul. "We made noise this weekend and showed the teams in attendance that the Peacocks will not back down. We are excited to see what is in store for us this season!"
 
Up next, the Peacocks will travel to Dyer, Indiana to compete in the Valpo Bowling Classic beginning on October 28.