Butler graduate Megan Paul suffered through an injury-filled season at Lindenwood (Mo.) University, but was still a big part of the school's first Intercollegiate Team Championship in 11 years — as a coach.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Plagued by tendonitis in her wrist and elbow, Butler graduate Megan Paul endured a painful bowling season for Lindenwood (Mo.) University.

“It was a grind for me,” she said. “I tried to fight through it, but it forced me to shut it down early.”

Success came anyway.

Lindenwood's women's squad won its first Intercollegiate Team Championship in 11 years Saturday at Sun Valley Lanes in Nebraska, defeating defending national champion McKendree 3-1 in the title match.

Since Paul couldn't bowl in the tournament, she coached.

“The team thought enough of me that they wanted me there with them,” she said. “I was there for encouragement, to lend advice and to cheer them on.

“I was able to offer suggestions in terms of adjustments on the lanes and with certain shots. Not bowling, I couldn't get a feel for the lanes, but my teammates trust my judgment. I feel like I helped.”

Paul, a junior, averaged in the 180's this season. Lindenwood was one of 16 teams to qualify for the national tournament. The top four teams from four section tourneys nationwide advanced.

The teams bowl 24 baker games — a team's five bowlers alternating frames, bowling two frames rach — to determine seeding for the double-elimination final round. Lindenwood was seeded second, defeated No. 3 seed Wichita State 4-2, then topped Sacred Heart 4.5-2.5 in the semifinals.

Lindenwood dropped the first game to McKendree in the title match, then won the next three to take home the Helmer Cup.

“There's no other feeling like this,” said Paul, who was part of a Butler state championship team and was Pa. singles champion in high schoool. “Our team was nervous in that first game (vs. McKendree), but we settled down.”

She added that “McKendree is only 40 miles down the road from us. This was our version of Penguins-Flyers. We are intense rivals.”

McKendree was bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back national bowling championships since West Texas A&M in 1987-88.

“This team is so dedicated, just so deep and really talented,” longtime Lindenwood coach Phil Vida said in an article on bowl.com. “Everyone has contributed this week.”

Including Paul.

An economic and finance major, she hopes to contribute in a different way next season.

“We only have three seniors and we've got 12 bowlers on this roster of pretty much equal ability,” she said. “We're in good shape for next year.

“I want to get back here next year and do it again — this time with my bowling shoes on.”