Pluhowsky Seizes Latest Opportunity at U.S. Women's Open

Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix has enjoyed enormous success throughout her youth, collegiate and amateur careers and had her sights set on eventually finding equal success at the professional level.

In 2006, Pluhowsky achieved the ultimate pinnacle in women's bowling when she captured the USBC Queens crown. Now, the 25-year-old left-hander is one of 16 quarterfinalists at the U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event, and hopes to add another prestigious title to her resume.

She will take the next step toward that goal Sunday, when she appears on ESPN for the second show of the five-part U.S. Women's Open series. The telecast begins at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Opportunities for the best women bowlers in the world have been few and far between since the Professional Women's Bowling Association ceased operations in 2003, but this three-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion, three-time collegiate national champion, three time U.S. Amateur champion and a two-time winner at the QubicaAMF World Cup has taken advantage of those that have come her way.

"It's great that this event is back after a few years, and I'm proud to be a part of it," said Pluhowsky, a member of Team USA since 2001. "Winning the Queens was something I'd always dreamed about, but it didn't sink in until after it had been over for a while. I have a lot of good memories at the National Bowling Stadium, and I'm looking forward to this opportunity too. Hopefully this, and the PBA Women's Series, will help lead to more events."

Sunday's other match, which will be contested simultaneously on an adjacent pair of lanes, features defending U.S. Women's Open champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., against Missy Bellinder of Fullerton, Calif who is also a member of Team Turbo. Bellinder has also found success with the PBA. Bellinder was the first woman to become a PBA member and recently won her second PBA regional title.

The winners of each quarterfinal then will battle for a spot alongside last week's winner and Team Turbo staffer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard in the event's Oct. 14 final round, which will be televised live on ESPN.

The final 16 players have been placed into a one-game, single-elimination bracket and the two remaining quarterfinal rounds will be televised by ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7.

Along with top-flight bowling action, those who tune in each week will get to see a unique format, compelling feature stories, interviews with the industry's top figures and some familiar faces from bowling telecasts of the past.

What's in their Bag?:

• Shannon uses Ms. Quad inserts in our Clear ICE(TM) material in addition to popular urethane thumb solid.
• Missy uses Quad2 (semi finger-tip style) and urethane thumb solids.
• Carolyn uses Ms. Quad inserts in our Clear Ice(TM) material and Power Supplies Skin Protection Tape; Cotton Fitting Tape, Beige F225.

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