DALLAS – The Conference USA October Performers of the Month Team has been decided following the opening month of competition. Nebraska’s Jillian Martin leads the group, claiming the title of Bowler of the Month. Making up the rest of the team include, Jacksonville State’s Emma Yoder, Gianna Brandolino and Erin Klemencic, Wichita State’s Aleesha Oden and Vanderbilt’s Ketelyn Abigania. Brandolino was also named Freshman of the Month after recording the best performance in the month of October among freshmen competitors.
CUSA October Performers of the Month Team
Bowler of the Month – Jillian Martin, Nebraska – Sr. – Stow, Ohio
Martin earned a pair of top five individual finishes during the month of October, leading Nebraska to a 21-5 match record in its two tournaments. She averaged a 227.1 during Nebraska’s 10 traditional matches. At the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic, Martin placed fourth with a total pinfall of 1,166 in the five traditional matches as the Huskers went 12-1 on the weekend. She followed up with a fifth-place finish at Destination Orlando with a 221.0 average to earn all-tournament honors.
Freshman of the Month – Gianna Brandolino, Jax State – Fr. – Channahon, Ill.
In her first two collegiate tournaments, Brandolino posted a 216.6 overall average and had strikes on 57.4% of her shots. She posted a 95.8% makeable spare percentage and had an overall spare percentage of 80%. Brandolino was the Destination Orlando MVP with a 239.6 average.
Erin Klemencic, Jax State – So. – Powder Springs, Ga.
Klemencic had a strong start to the season. The sophomore was second in the conference in Baker average at 220.8 and had an overall average of 215.5. Her makeable spare percentage of 90.2% in October was third-best in the league.
Emma Yoder, Jax State – So. – Wooster, Ohio
Yoder posted a 232.1 overall average in October, highlighted by a 237.7 Baker average. Her 66.8% strike percentage led the league in October. The sophomore also led the league in Baker double percentage at 79.7%. She made the all-tournament team at the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic with a 234.4 average to finish third in the field.
Katelyn Abigania, Vanderbilt – Fr. – San Diego, Calif.
Freshman Abigania has made an immediate impact for the Vanderbilt bowling team, registering top 10 individual finishes at the Penguin Classic and Destination Orlando. In her collegiate debut at the Penguin Classic, Abigania tallied scores of 209, 222, 257, 205 and 197, finishing ninth overall with a 217.4 average game. The following weekend at Destination Orlando, she registered games of 200, 218, 150, 258 and 198, averaging 204.8 pins per game and finishing 10th overall. Her efforts also earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Abigania played in every game at the two events, helping the Commodores achieve a fifth-place finish at the Penguin Classic and a third-place finish at Destination Orlando and collect ?10 wins over ranked opponents.
Aleesha Oden, Wichita State – Jr. – Council Bluffs, Iowa
Oden has parlayed her strong finish to 2024-25 into an impressive showing in the Shockers first two regular season tournaments. The junior from Council Bluffs, Iowa earned an all-tournament team selection at the season-opening Destination Orlando, logging a 230.8 average that was highlighted by a 258 in the first game for Wichita State's top individual score of the tournament. Oden followed up that debut with another good outing at the Track Kat Klash, helping the Shockers to a team title with a 198.8 average that was good for 12th in the individual standings.
2025 Performers of the Month Teams
N5 Gianna Brandolino, Jax State
Erin Klemencic, Jax State
Emma Yoder, Jax State
Jillian Martin, Nebraska
Katelyn Abigania, Vanderbilt
Aleesha Oden, Wichita State
2025 Bowlers of the Month
N5 Jillian Martin, Nebraska
2025 Freshmen of the Month
N5 Gianna Branolino, Jax State