By: Karen Kadilak
Friday, January 4, 2019 | 7:06 PM

Quaker Valley bowler Leighanna Palmer had a rock-solid start to the season.

Palmer, a senior, led the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League girls varsity West Division with a 178.50 average in 12 games, close to 30 points ahead of second-place Jordyn Jacob of Moon (148.75 in eight games).

She had a high game of 225 and a high series of 598.

Palmer said she was slightly surprised because she did not know the competition.

“Leighanna is very competitive, although she doesn’t outwardly show it often,” Quaker Valley coach Greg Vecchi said. “I can tell she demands a lot from herself.

“She takes every shot seriously and always tries her hardest.”

Palmer has climbed since she was a freshman, going from 96th place at the 2016 WPIBL championship tournament to 38th last year.

She is determined to make the state championship for the first time.

“(I have) been going week to week,” she said.

Palmer stands out on a team that has only a handful of members.

The Quakers were 1-3 heading into their next match Jan. 4 against Nazareth Prep.

Vecchi said Palmer ranks with some of the school’s best bowlers.

“She practices often and comes from a bowling family,” he said.

Palmer, 18, a member of a Saturday league who lives in Sewickley, began bowling with her grandparents when she was 6 years old.

“I got to see my cousins,” she said.

She hopes to continue her career in college.

By: Karen Kadilak
Friday, December 14, 2018 | 8:03 PM

The Quaker Valley boys bowling team (2-0) looks forward to being among the best in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League.

The Quakers welcome back three rollers from a squad that earned the West Section title and qualified for the league championship tournament last season.

Seniors Jaycob Meanor (446), Jasiah Bertiaux (445) and James Havens (433) scored in three games at the league championship.

The Quakers placed 16th of 18.

Havens competed in the singles qualifier, where he had a five-game total of 765 and a high game of 171.

Seniors Dean Dailey and Avery Hopkins and freshman Reid Palmer contribute.

Quaker coach Greg Vecchi said the goals are to win the section crown, finish in the top five in the league playoffs and send at least three bowlers to the league individual tournament.

The Quakers, who play at home at Fair Oaks Lanes, opened the season with section wins over North Hills and Hampton.

Senior Leighanna Palmer stands out for the girls (1-1).

Palmer rolled a 790 in five games at the regional qualifier last season, including a one-game best 186.

Vecchi said he would like to see Palmer finish her career strong in the state finals.

“(It is) is huge dream to make it to states,” Palmer said. “It would make my year.”

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, December 19, 2018 | 10:45 AM

The Quaker Valley boys and girls bowling teams are scheduled to host Avonworth on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Fair Oaks Lanes in Ambridge.

The QV boys bring a 2-1 West section record into the match, while the girls are 1-2.

Senior Leighanna Palmer leads the Quaker girls team and the entire West section with a 181.89 average through nine games. She has a 225 game and a 598 series to her credit, both section bests.

Jaycob Meanor, a senior, leads the boys squad with a 158.67 average over nine games bowled. He owns a 219 high game and a 513 high series.

QV boys basketball tops Beaver Area

The Quaker Valley boys basketball team remained undefeated Tuesday evening with a 12-point victory at Beaver Area.

The Quakers, 5-0 overall and 1-0 in Section 2-4A, led by seven at halftime and by five at the end of the third quarter before pulling away for a 56-44 victory.

Adu Thiero led the win with 16 points, while Danny Conlan added 15.

QV, the top team in the Tribune-Review WPIAL 4A rankings, hopes to move to 2-0 in section play when it hosts Central Valley on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Quaker Valley wrestlers to take on section foe Hopewell

The Quaker Valley wrestling team visits Hopewell for a Class AA, Section 2B match Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Quakers are 1-0 in the section after last week’s 57-18 victory against Carlynton. They also are 7-4 overall with a pair of 3-2 team results at the Hampton Dawg Duals and the Moon Duals.

Senior John Rocco Kazalas leads QV with a 10-0 record, and seniors Bradley Fadeley and Geoff Magin, junior Austin Dohl and freshman Patrick Cutchember have eight wins apiece.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.