MISHAWAKA - The LaVille boys and girls high school bowling teams participated in the Michiana West Conference Sectional at Parkway Lanes. In 2024, the Lancer boys finished among the top three teams to advance to the Michigan City Regional. Now, with several members a year older, the 2025 team has the goal of advancing in the state tournament. In the qualifying round, coach Kevin Kubsch's team put together some solid baker game scores and finished as the overall number one qualifier for the step-ladder finals. "We are thrilled with how we finished up in the qualifying round," Kubsch said after watching his LaVille squad finish first in the qualifying round. "We threw some great games in qualifying on each and every shot. The team did a lot of talking amongst themselves between lanes. They communicated tremendously between themselves and the coaching staff." Following the qualifying level, LaVille finished with over 2,100 pins, Mishawaka was second, Penn third and Rochester fourth. Plymouth finished 5th, Argos 11th and John Glenn 12th. In the step-ladder championship round, Penn defeated Rochester. Then the Kingsmen beat the Cavemen, sending PHS to the finals against LaVille. The two teams battled each frame in the finale finishing a tie in both games to set up a tie-breaking game. Penn ended up with the most pins in the final game to sneak past the Lancers for the sectional title. With LaVille finishing as sectional runner-up, the Lancers will be among the top four sectional teams to advance to the Michigan City Regional. "The advancement is more important than any title," said LaVille's Sean Kubsch. When asked about the thrilling championship match against Penn, the LaVille senior said, "We both stayed competitive on each shot. It is rare to do that (get two straight ties). "Everybody on our team was able to make clutch spares that really picked us up. We stayed right there with Penn, we just didn't quite come through at the end." With another week to prepare for the next step in the state tournament, there are key components the Lancers want to work on. "It's consistency and easy spares," said Sean Kubsch. "We also will work on team bonding. We have two freshmen on the team this year, so we are still trying to get everybody together. Last year we had a lot of experience on the team and this gives us a chance to work on building that team chemistry. In bowling you have to be really mentally tough. If you are, you can get through anything. You are going to make some mistakes, miss a strike, miss an easy spare. Bowling mechanics aren't easy. If we can do everything consistently, then there is no doubt." In the individual portion at Chippewa Bowl, LaVille had five total bowlers move on to the Michigan City Regional. Ryan Carmichael, Andrew Wolford, Ryan Riddle and Sean Kubsch were among 17 to earn a spot at the next level. On the girls side, the LaVille team finished Lexi Huff was one of 13 to punch their ticket at Olympia Lanes in Michigan City. "This is the most we have had (advance to regional) since we restarted the LaVille bowling program in 2020," said Lancer coach Kevin Kubsch. "We are really thrilled. There were places and times that they all needed a shot and were able to make it. The coaches were pleased with how they communicated with each other about their shots and giving each other pointers." In the gals team competition, Argos finished 6th, LaVille 7th, Plymouth 8th and John Glenn 9th. Penn, New Prairie, South Bend Riley and Mishawaka all move on. MICHIGAN CITY REGIONAL Saturday, January 25, 2025 At Olympia Lanes Individual Round: 10am EST Team Round: 3:30pm EST