FRUITPORT – New Fruitport bowling coach Tin McKeeby thought he had a numbers problem with the girls team this season.

That’s because, until Monday, he only had four players in a sport that takes five to fill a lineup.

On the one hand, McKeeby knew that wasn’t necessarily a huge deal, because the Fruitport girls opened last season with a shortage of players, but went on to win the city tournament, and one player – senior Brynna Hanson – finished third at the state finals.

But he still kept working to find that fifth player and hit the jackpot on a visit to the grocery story on Monday, just two days before the start of the season.

“I have been recruiting girls,” McKeeby said. “These two girls in particular kept telling me no, then I was at Orchard Market and they were there, too. I told them I thought it was kind of destiny running into them. I reminded them that I needed two more girls for the bowling team, and by the time they got home, they had both emailed to tell me they were joining the bowling team!”

The new players are freshmen Reba Willis and Kaylynn Pavlege.

They will join senior Lily Borntreger (the only returner from last season), junior Kadie Juska, junior Ellyona Pider and freshman Harper Simila.

McKeeby thinks Borntreger, a fourth-year high school bowler, will have a great season and provide great leadership.

“She’s an awesome kid and a great bowler,” said McKeeby about the senior. “She does a great job of leading the girls.”

The rest of the roster is pretty green, with most of the lineup from last year lost to graduation.

But McKeeby, who has coached girls and boys bowling before, said you never know how quickly players might improve, particularly in girls bowling.

“It’s amazing how far they can come in a short period of time,” the coach said. “It will be awesome to see what they can do. In any case, I will be able to sleep a little easier now, know that I have a full lineup and an alternate.”

While the season remains a mystery from a competitive perspective, McKeeby said he’s already noticed some bonding on the team, which is a crucial element for success.

“I’ve coached girls teams before and they’ve all been best friends,” he said. “This team right now is a mix of some who are friends and some I don’t feel hang out together outside of bowling. But they all get along so well and are polite. Hopefully by the end of the season, they’ll all be best friends.”