WATERLOO — The Fort Dodge girls bowling team is getting hot at the perfect time.

For the third straight outing, the Dodgers eclipsed their overall highest score of the season.

On Monday, the Dodgers took fourth in the Iowa Alliance Conference tournament with a 2,403.

Des Moines Lincoln (2,759) was the team champion, followed by Ottumwa (2,726) and Mason City (2,479).

FDSH’s score was 198 pins higher than its previous best.

“The girls bowled extremely well,” said FDSH head coach Nick Vinson. “We’re figuring it out and getting better each time.

“They just have to believe in themselves and not let the moment seem bigger than it is.”

Senior Calli Graves placed third in the individual standings, earning first team all-conference honors. Graves rolled a 626 total, with games of 204, 210 and 212.

“Calli was super consistent,” Vinson said. “She was talking afterward and said, ‘I don’t know if I’ve ever bowled three 200 games (in one meet).'”

“She did a nice job and was solid again in bakers. In her last 20 baker frames, she’s only had three opens.”

Freshman Ara Ellis was 11th and landed second team all-conference recognition. Ellis is the second freshman — joining Amyrra Lumsden — to earn all-IAC honors from Fort Dodge.

“Ara had a really good day,” Vinson said. “She’s stepped it up over the last month and has started to come into her own.

“She is super calm and doesn’t let her emotions get too high or low.”

In the conference tournament each bowler rolls three individual games and their first two count toward the team total, along five baker games.

Ellis had a 541 series with games of 165, 193 and 183. Junior Sammantha Welter followed at 460. She had games of 166, 151 and 143.

Sophomore Kaylie Guthrie (120-153-152–425), sophomore Cierra Robell (107-89-196–392) and junior Joely Gilbert (96-108-104–308) also competed for the Dodgers.

Fort Dodge is back in action on Monday when they compete in a Class 2A, Region I qualifying meet at Le Mars.