When junior Jack Hollinger stepped up to the bowling lane to make his shot last year, he looked back to find only six other bowlers cheering him on. This year, however, there are three more players to support the team, according to Anthony Rhines.

Rhines, the youth coordinator at Texa Tonka Lanes, helps coach the bowling team. He said in the past few years, there has been a decrease in players.

“We always want to have as many kids as possible,” Rhines said. “Last year the only reason why we did not have a junior varsity team is because we only had seven bowlers on the team. This year we have 10.”

Rhines said he hopes the new players will gain valuable life lessons.

“I hope that the new bowlers will learn something from their coach, learn good sportsmanship and being a leader,” Rhines said.

Junior Luke Cichoski, captain of the bowling team, said the increase of players will improve individual and team performance.

“Having more people makes it more fun and makes us more competitive,” Cichoski said. “So far this year we’ve actually been a lot more competitive with other teams than previous years.”

Cichoski said the team is currently in second place for conference.

Junior Jack Hollinger said he wants to help out the new players because of his five years of experience.

“My goal for this year is to teach the new bowlers what it’s going to take, the focus settings for being successful against other teams and letting them grow individually,” Hollinger said.

Sophomore Lulu Cohen is new on the bowling team and hopes to get used to matches and learn from her teammates.

“I think that we will all give each other tips and learn from each other and also be the best that we can be,” Cohen said.

The bowling team will be paired up against another team at Texa Tonka Lanes at 4 p.m. Oct. 24.