Despite being at very different points in their accomplished careers, United States Bowling Congress High School spokesperson Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Youth spokesperson Diandra Asbaty are united in the quest to keep women's bowling in the national spotlight.

Last Sunday, Asbaty outlasted Dorin-Ballard in a 236-225 championship-match battle at the fourth and final event of the Professional Bowlers Association Women's Series, presented by USBC. Including the recent U.S. Women's Open, Sunday's telecast marked the end of a nine-week run for women's bowling on ESPN this fall.

Although Asbaty (pictured left) was not one of the regular competitors in the PBA Women's Series, she has become one of the most recognizable faces in the women's bowling movement and took advantage of an opportunity to replace Robin Romeo, who withdrew due to a thumb injury, in the final Women's Series event. Romeo already was filling in for PBA Women's Series regular Wendy Macpherson, who could not compete due to a commitment to the Japanese Professional Bowlers Association (JPBA).

"During the show there was a girl in the stands with a sign that said 'Diandra Rocks,' and every time I looked at her, it made me feel like I was looking at myself as a little girl," said Asbaty, who finished 18th in the PBA Women's Tour Trials during the U.S. Women's Open in August. "That used to be me sitting there watching women like Carolyn and Tish (Johnson), who inspired me to want to be a professional bowler. It was an amazing opportunity and an honor to compete last week, and being able to inspire even one young girl makes it even better."

Dorin-Ballard (right), a 20-time Professional Women's Bowling Association titlist, made the most of her opportunity to be back on tour and led the PBA Women's Series in points, earnings ($25,000) and average (225.4). In all, the 43-year-old right-hander collected four top-four finishes, including a win in the series-opening Motor City Classic.

"It's really nice to have the feeling of being back on tour, and it was special to be able to win the first event," said Dorin-Ballard, who took home $10,000 for her win. "It all happened so fast and took a while to sink in, but it was awesome to have that opportunity again. At the same time, it gives the younger players a chance to experience something they hoped to be a part of while they were growing up. This is a huge step for women's bowling that has stirred up some interest, and hopefully that momentum leads to something more in the future."

The four-week mini tour gave 16 of the best women bowlers in the world the chance to compete for a $51,100 prize fund each week alongside Denny's PBA Tour events. The opportunity meant a dream come for the players who never got a chance to bowl on tour and a return to the spotlight for players who found success in the PWBA before it closed its doors in 2003.

Each week, PBA Women's Series competitors bowled 14 games of qualifying before the field was cut to the top eight players for two best-of-seven match play rounds. The two remaining players then advanced to the title match, which was televised as part of the Denny's PBA Tour telecast each Sunday on ESPN.

The other two PBA Women's Series champions were Shannon Pluhowsky (left) and Joy Esterson (below, right), who both have enjoyed accomplished collegiate and amateur careers, but never got to realize their professional dreams in the PWBA. Pluhowsky's PBA Women's Series victory came at the Etonic Championship in Cheektowaga, N.Y., while Esterson won the Lake County Indiana Classic in Merrillville, Ind.

"It was a fun couple of weeks, and we learned a lot about life on the road and bowling in different cities and on different pattern," said Pluhowsky, a Team USA member since 2001. "It was just a taste of what it's like, though, so hopefully there's more to come. For now it's just a waiting game, but if nothing comes of it, it's still special to be one of the four PBA Women's Series champions."

The rest of the PBA Women's Series field included 12-time PWBA titlist Michelle Feldman, international star Clara Guerrero, 2007 U.S. Women's Open winner Liz Johnson, 25-time PWBA winner Tish Johnson, 2007 USBC Queens champion Kelly Kulick, Team USA members Tennelle Milligan and Stefanie Nation, former collegiate standout Olivia Sandham, four-time PWBA titlist Tiffany Stanbrough, recent PBA regional winners Missy Bellinder and Amy Stolz and past PWBA member Karen Stroud.

"A lot of us never had the chance to compete in a professional setting, so it was an amazing experience, but it was over so quickly," said Esterson, who will compete in the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round at this week's Lumber Liquidators Championship in Baltimore. "I bowled against some of the best women bowlers in the world, which is something I've always wanted to do. It was a lot of fun and a lot of learning, and I'd love to do it again."

Including the five 2007 U.S. Women's Open telecasts and Sunday's PBA Women's Series finale, women's bowling has been in the national spotlight for nine weeks this fall. To keep it in the forefront, ESPN Classic will be airing a women's bowling marathon on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. The marathon will include the 2006 and 2007 USBC Queens finals and all five shows from the 2007 U.S. Women's Open.