CRESSON — Nicole Nebel is uncertain what her future holds in terms of a career.

She is hopeful bowling is a part of it.

The 2018 Butler graduate is completing her sophomore year at Mount Aloysius College. On a two-year academic program there, she is studying to be a surgical technician. She is considering a career in nursing.

“A lot of things are up in the air right now,” Nebel said. “I still have to complete my second half of clinicals to get my degree here.

“With everything being shut down, I'm not sure where that will be. I may be back at Mount Aloysius for the first semester next year to finish up. If I am, I definitely want to bowl.”

And Mounties coach Barbara Jones wants her back.

Why wouldn't she?

Nebel made first team All-Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference this season with a 173 average. The Mounties finished 15-3 against AMCC competition.

Nebel led the team with a 65.5 spare percentage and 75.8 single-pin spare percentage. She was second on the team with a 31.3 strike percentage.

“Her first year here, as happens with a lot of freshman bowlers in college, Nicole's average took a big dip,” Jones said. “The shot is so much more difficult at the college level. She was in the high 170's in high school. She averaged 145 her freshman year.”

Nebel's bowling style received a total makeover.

“She had to go through the car wash,” Jones said.

Her approach was changed. Her release was altered. So was the rotation on her shot. Even the holes in her ball were drilled differently.

Nebel didn't mind a bit.

“I am very open to coaching. I'm a go with the flow kind of person,” Nebel said. “I was expecting some changes like that. I just stayed focused on my game, kept calm. It really paid off.”

Jones emphasized that Nebel's average this year is the equivalent of averaging 205 or 210 with a regular house shot.

Nebel described the collegiate oil pattern as “not allowing much wriggle room.”

“You really have to be accurate,” she said.

Whether she returns to Mount Aloysius or not, Nebel is far from finished as a bowler. Her goal is to join the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA).

“You have to pay your way to compete in regional tournaments and that's where I'll start,” Nebel said. “My college coach (Jones) was in the PWBA and I want to talk to her about it.

“You work your way up from the regional level. It's a stepladder process. You can either be sponsored or do it yourself. Either way, I want to do it.”

Jones believes Nebel has what it takes to be a pro.

“She's very upbeat, very positive,” the coach said. “Nicole doesn't get down. She has the right mental approach and her approach is very fluid now. That's reflected by her accuracy.

“I show her footage of herself bowling in high school compared to her approach and release now. It's like two totally different bowlers. Her high school coaching was excellent. It's just that the college game forces a bowler to change.”

While her goal was to average in the 180's this year. Nebels says she's satisfied with her season — and prepared to chase a dual career.

“Whether I'm a surgical tech or a nurse, I want to have a pro bowling career on the side for many years,” she said.

Jones wishes she could have had Nebel longer this year.

“I loved our team (which included two other All-AMCC bowlers),” the coach said. “With our conference tournament being canceled (due to COVID-19), we lost an opportunity to win the league and go on to the national championships.

“We were left with some unfinished business.”