Amateur star Pluhowsky ready to defend USBC Queens title

Shannon Pluhowsky has clearly established herself as one of the top female bowlers in the world over the past eight years. And another victory at the United States Bowling Congress Queens would further cement that reputation.

Pluhowsky, a seven-time Team USA member, will look to defend her Queens title when the event kicks off at AMF Carolina Lanes in Matthews, N.C., on April 28. The finals of the event will be televised live May 2 on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. Eastern.

"This has got to be one of the hardest tournaments to try and win back to back," said Pluhowsky, a 24-year-old left-hander. "So my approach is going to be to think of it like I did last year. It's just another tournament and I will focus on one day or match at a time and bowl my game. I think if I go there trying to defend my title, it will be too much pressure."

Pluhowsky has won at seemingly every level of her young career - three U.S. Junior Amateur titles, three U.S. Amateur championships, two World Cup titles and the first woman bowler to win three collegiate team titles while at Nebraska.

Pluhowsky, a native of Phoenix, demonstrated her skills last year during the ESPN-televised finals at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., when she defeated three former Professional Women's Bowling Association stars on the way to winning the title.

She beat Liz Johnson (left) twice in the double-elimination final match, 228-210 and 203-178, to win the title and a record $30,000 first prize after disposing of Dana Miller-Mackie and Kim Terrell (right).

"It's a great experience competing against the best women bowlers," Pluhowsky said. "It gives you a chance to learn from them and how they attack the game. I have looked up to these women since I was young and to finally be able to compete on the lanes with them is a rewarding experience."

And by winning the Queens, Pluhowsky feels she has elevated her game to the level of the players who won week in and week out before the PWBA Tour ceased operations in 2003.

"Winning the Queens helped me gain confidence knowing it was a field of the best women bowlers in the game," Pluhowsky said. "I feel it was another step in my bowling career, and I'm looking forward to the chance to compete again."

The Queens kicks off with 10 qualifying games over two days before the field is cut to the top 100 for five additional qualifying games. The top 63 then advance to join Pluhowsky in double-elimination match play. The final five players will advance to the televised stepladder finals.

In addition to the live telecast of the Queens, the event is also scheduled to be re-aired on May 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Tickets for the live broadcast on May 2 are $10 and can be purchased at AMF Carolina Lanes or Northcross Lanes in Huntersville, N.C.