Correspondent file photo / David Dermer. The Youngstown State bowing team celebrates after clinching its spot in the Final Four of the NCAA women’s bowling championships last week at the Rochester Regional.

YOUNGSTOWN — With its success in recent years, Youngstown State is used to dealing with pressure-filled situations.

The Penguins had to dig deep in last week’s Rochester Regional championship after winning their first two regional matches. North Carolina A&T took the traditional point to open the match, and YSU responded by taking the Baker pinfall round to send the mega match to a tiebreaker.

Despite not bowling at all during the regional, Penguins head coach Doug Kuberski added sophomore Amanda Granata to the lineup for the best-of-seven Baker match tiebreaker.

“I did feel quite a bit of pressure, just because I didn’t bowl at all that weekend, but then I got put in for the most important match, deciding our fate,” Granata said. “So I did have that in the back of my head a little, but last year at the regional, I was part of the lineup when we won against Nebraska. So it wasn’t an unfamiliar position, but it was definitely a little bit of pressure because it’s game time. It was exciting though, being out there, and a lot of fun.”

Granata delivered in clutch fashion, helping YSU sweep the Aggies in the tiebreaker to capture the mega match 2-1 and advance to the Final Four for the second straight season and the third time in the last five years.

“It seems like they really relish the tough moments and they dig deep in those tough moments,” Kuberski said. “I think they almost used it as fuel. They still have fun through those moments, though, which is a really special thing. This (past) weekend, we had a couple tough moments, getting pushed to the elimination tiebreaker, but they really seem to enjoy it. I think that’s a big thing when you get on the other side of pressure and actually welcome it. It’s a good thing.”

Since making the run to the Final Four last year and finishing third, YSU set its sights on making a return trip, and this time around, the Penguins hope to get over the hump and capture the program’s first national championship.

“We learned a lot during that experience,” Kuberski said. “We wanted to really put that into play this year to try to get back there and finish it. So it’s nice to be back in this position again, and I think we’re full of a lot more wisdom than we had at this point last year, and a lot more experience and I think we’re ready.

“That’s been our goal — to be one of those teams that have sustained excellence, and we’re certainly working towards that. We definitely want to raise that banner and win that championship this weekend.”

With each of the top-four overall seeds making it to the Final Four, the No. 3 seeded Penguins will certainly have their work cut out for them this weekend at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

In a double-elimination bracket, YSU is set to open the tournament at 9 a.m. on Friday against No. 2 seed Nebraska, while No. 1 seed Jacksonville State and No. 4 seed Wichita State will face off at the same time in the other match.

“The parity in college bowling is incredible — there’s so many elite teams that can win the whole thing. Obviously these four are right up there among them,” Kuberski said. “I think it’s anybody’s game, they’re all so darn close. The talent and coaching is amazing. We have a lot of respect for those teams, coaches and programs and what they’ve been able to do over the years.”

Having faced a stacked schedule throughout the season, the Penguins are no stranger to the stiff competition that they’ll face in the Final Four.

“I think over half our matches this year were against top-10 teams,” Kuberski said. “Pretty crazy schedule, plus we bowl in the amazing Conference USA. It really prepares you because these matches come down to one or two shots, so you really get that the first frame, second frame are just as important as the ninth and 10th frames — every frame matters against these teams. You really can’t afford to waste frames.”

YSU’s six seniors have certainly left their mark on the program during their years in Youngstown.

The Penguins’ oldest seniors, graduate students Madyson Marx and Kirsten Moore, have now been a part of each of the program’s three Final Four teams.

Plus the other four — Jade Cote, Madison Doseck, Ellie Drescher and Lyndsay Ennis — despite joining YSU a year later than the first two, have all played critical roles in helping the program put together its most successful era in the last few years.

Now, this senior class is hoping to put the cherry on top of their decorated college careers.

“It’s definitely been a fun ride with this group,” Marx said. We’ve been through a lot together, good and bad, so it’s definitely fun to be back in the Final Four with them. But I’m a little sad and excited — excited that we’re obviously still bowling in April because that’s every bowling team’s dream, but I’m sad I have to leave these girls and that this is my last tournament, so I’m hoping we end with a bang.”