Mineola Girls Varsity Bowling Coach Val Liese knew her team would face an uphill battle in their quest to return to the Nassau County playoffs in 2007. Finishing in second place in the conference and among the top 16 to qualify for the county post-season last year, the Lady Mustangs had to face defending county champion Sewanhaka in head-to-head matches in Conference II again this season. Other than a repeat performance by All-County captain, senior Danielle Rivera, and a return to the playoff round of 16, everything else was pure supposition. When the regular season ended, the Girls defied expectations. Strong conference competition and an 8-4 record improved Mineola's playoff standing two places from last year and Rivera's dominance led the way.

The conference schedule makers were unkind to the Lady Mustangs when the opening match sent Sewanhaka to Sheridan Lanes. The Indians averted early disaster when Mineola fell just 13 pins short in the second and deciding game. While the lady bowlers were unable to solve first place Sewanhaka and second place Carle Place during regular season play, they swept the remainder of their conference foes. The girls qualified for the playoffs as the 11th seed (finishing seventh) while senior Stephanie Badger and juniors Desiree Perez and Brooke Salvatore were named All-Conference. Of three freshmen with high expectations, Heather Dolan was a consistent force who should bolster the team in the years to come.

Rivera, however, was the star. In six years as varsity girls coach, Liese has been fortunate to have two All-State bowlers. Add Rivera to that list. In the individual county finals, Danielle was seeded seventh but qualified third for the State Sectional team with the high game of the tournament (279 behind 11 of 12 possible strikes) and a personal best 729 series. Being named All-County for the second year in a row was the least of her accolades. Rivera advanced to the state tournament in Buffalo during the weekend of March 2 where she will be recognized as an All-State competitor. Rivera is now among the most decorated bowlers in Mustang history.