For the first time in three years, the East River girls bowling team lost a match.

But they didn’t lose sight of the ultimate goal, and showed what they’re made of by finishing on top, again.

The two-time defending state champion Falcons reached the final of District 6 at Boardwalk Bowl without a loss, and had to face the familiar foe of Space Coast in a postseason play for the seventh time in a span of three seasons.

East River topped the Vipers 3-2 in a best-of-five Baker match to sit atop the winner’s bracket in the double-elimination series. Space Coast swept Winter Park to get another shot at the Falcons and this time won 3-0 with East River averaging only 157 for the three games. That’s when East River coach Tom Tagye made a short and simple statement for a team that was unbeaten state champ in 2023 and 2024.

“I told them ‘Champions doing championship things’,” he said. “They faced adversity after losing 3-0, and I challenged them.”

It worked as East River bounced back to average 210 and sweep Space Coast to win the district title and punch its ticket to next week’s state tournament at Boardwalk Bowl.

Tagye gave credit to junior EmmyLou Molina and Camdyn Nielsen, who both approached him after they struggled in the semifinal loss.

“EmmyLou was super unselfish, saying ‘Coach, you need to sub me out’,” he said. “And Camdyn (who has the second-highest average on the team t 210) asked me to move her from four to three in the lineup. They showed how unselfish these girls are, doing what’s best for the team.”

Larielle Tharps, the area player of the year last season, led the Falcons with a 678 in the three-game 10-pin series. Nielsen rolled 663 and Jada Vidal added a 625.

The boys District 6 winner was Astronaut, which also needed to play the if-necessary game. Hagerty beat the War Eagles in the first final match but lost the second, 3-1.

The Huskies, led by Mitch Guttentag’s 632 series, also advance.

East River, South Lake, Windermere, Hagerty roll into bowling playoffs

In District 4, the South Lake boys continued to dominate by rolling 3,405 in three games and beating University (Orange City) in the championship match. Brody Carter led the high-scoring Eagles with a 759 series, while Ryan Sapp rolled a 734. Kayden Coloni had a 697 for University.

South Lake’s girls also prevailed with a big Baker performance. The Eagles were the No. 3 seed in the final four but claimed the championship with a 3-2 win against Villages Charter.

The titles were firsts for South Lake’s boys and girls programs.

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In District 7, the Windermere boys defeated Apopka in a semifinal and Lyman in the final to also win its first bowling district title. The Wolverines were led by Jacob Larson’s 668 series.

On the girls side, Lake Mary defeated Apopka in the final, led by Mia Santiago’s 558 series. Elizabeth Marshall rolled a 533.

In District 8 at AMF Kissimmee Lanes, Gateway defeated Horizon, 3-0, in the girls championship match.

The state finals start on Tuesday night at Boardwalk Bowl with the boys team and individual qualifying, and continue Wednesday and Thursday.

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Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be contacted by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.

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