LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis women's bowling freshman Kyra Udziela (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) won NEC rookie of the Week and senior Ashley Howe-Yorio (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) won NEC Player of the Week for their efforts in this past weekend at the NEC #2.
 
Howe-Yorio spearheaded SFU's 9-1 showing at the final NEC regular season conference meet, which allowed the team to secure the No.1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. The senior averaged 21.31 pins per frame over the course of 10 matches. Howe-Yorio filled 92 of 100 frames throughout the two-day meet; she struck on 48.8 percent of attempts.
 
She powered SFU to four wins in five matches during Saturday's traditional team play, posting a conference-best 219.4 game average. Howe-Yorio turned in a quartet of impressive performances, starting strong by throwing a 235 game in a runaway win over Caldwell. After accounting for an uncharacteristic score in a setback to Sacred Heart, Howe-Yorio bounced back by filling all 10 of her frames against LIU Brooklyn. She struck seven times in a row at one point during the 1,071-808 triumph over the Blackbirds.
 
The Keystone State product followed with another team high, putting for a 213-pin effort in a close victory over St. Francis Brooklyn. Despite facing a tough pair of lanes in the final match of the day, Howe-Yorio threw a 221 game to lead the Flash past Fairleigh Dickerson. Saint Francis went a perfect 5-0 during Sunday's five-game baker matches with Howe-Yorio again leading the way. Occupying the anchor position, she made number of clutch shots as four of Saint Francis' five baker wins came by 10 pins or fewer.
 
"Ashley was outstanding in both her contribution and support of this team all weekend," said head coach Tom Falbo. "She made a great ball choice and settled in right away. Her focus and execution was spot on. She has shown us examples of excellence, courage and how to manage any situation so he can perform at her best no matter what. I congratulate her on her contribution and honors."
 
Udziela joined Howe-Yorio as the lone Saint Francis bowlers to average more than 20 pins per frame throughout the duration of the second, and final NEC regular season meet. Her 20.17 overall frame average was a key component to SFU's 9-1 record. The rookie right-hander left only 10 open frames over the course of 10 matches while striking on 48.1 percent of chances.
 
Her 210.8 traditional game average ranked third amongst the meet's individual leaders. She well exceeded the 210-pin mark in the first three of Saint Francis' five traditional team matches. Udziela fired a 245 game in the weekend opener against Caldwell and followed with a 214-pin performance against Sacred Heart. She climbed back above 230, registering a 231-pin effort against LIU Brooklyn. Udziela was also effective during Sunday's baker matches, accounting for the team's second-highest frame average (19.23).

"Kyra's consistency gives her such a true read of the lanes. Match that with her ability to repeat, she producing high scores on these longer patterns. What motivates her most is what drives every player on this team, and that is her wanting to contribute for the good of the team, said Falbo. "That team-first attitude will only grow her game to higher levels. Congratulations to her to on her contribution and honor."
 
The Flash heads to the Music City Classic next weekend for their final tune-up before the Northeast Conference Championship.