|

June 02, 2002:
Gaines And Brownie Clinch Doubles Title
06/02/2002 - PWBA
ROCKFORD, Ill. - The team of Kendra Gaines, Sebring, Fla. and Melissa Brownie, Chester, Va. claimed the first-ever PWBA Women's Collegiate/Pro Doubles Challenge after defeating Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, NY and April Ellis, Jackson, Tenn. 214-196 at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford, Ill.
"It's nice to be back in the winner's circle," said Gaines. "I had a great partner today. I think we worked very well together."
Gaines, who's last national title came at the 1998 Greater Sebring Open, helped clinch the bout by tossing strikes in the eighth and tenth frames while Brownie notched an X in the ninth frame. The twosome played catch up most of the match after leaving the second frame open while Feldman and Ellis started the contest with a three-bagger.
Following the sixth frame Feldman and Ellis led by 19-pins however after leaving a 4-10 split in the seventh the freshman from Pikeville College missed a 10-pin in the ninth putting Gaines and Brownie in position to win.
"This was such a great week for all the college bowlers," said Brownie. "We learned so much from the pros in this tournament. They're all such wonderful competitors. I had a great week with Kendra."
Both Gaines and Brownie entered the Doubles Challenge tournament with momentum. In the first three weeks of PWBA competition Gaines had two top ten finishes and had cashed in all three events. Brownie most recently helped Morehead State University to an Intercollegiate Bowling Championship.
Seeded third for the championship round Gaines and Brownie began their march toward the finals with a 218-199-140 shootout victory over Cathy Dorin-Lizzi, Linden, NJ and Shannon Sellens, Independence, Mo. and Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, NY and Krystal Havelka, Machesney Park, Ill.
The duo then dispatched reigning PWBA Player of the Year Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas and Mandy Bedwell, Terre Haute, Ind. 173-154.
Gaines received $10,500 for finishing first while Brownie gets $5,000 in scholarship funds. Feldman will take home $5.800 with her partner receiving $3,000. The rest of the prize funds were as follows: Dorin-Ballard - $4,000, Bedwell - $2,000, Dorin-Lizzi - $3,200, Sellens - $1,500 and Johnson - $2,800, Havelka - $1,000.
College bowling USA is jointly funded by the American Bowling Congress and the Women's International Bowling Congress and is recognized as the sport's national intercollegiate governing body.
Championship-round results and their scores, earnings and playoff results in the Professional Women's Bowling Association's $65,000 Pro Collegiate Doubles Match Play;
1. Gaines/ Brownie, , 605 -3 games- $10,500 (Brownie - $5,000)
2. Feldman/ Ellis, , 196 -1 game- $5,800 (Ellis - $3,000)
3. Dorin-Ballard/ Bedwell, , 154 -1 game- $4,000 (Bedwell - $2,000)
4. Dorin-Lizzi/ Sellens, , 199 -1 game- $3,200 (Sellens - $1,500)
5. L. Johnson/ Havelka, , 140 -1 game- $2,800 (Havelka - $1,000)
Playoff Results: Gaines/Brownie def. Dorin-Lizzi/Sellens and L.Johnson/Havelka 218-199-140; Gaines/Brownie def. Dorin-Ballard/Bedwell 173-154; Gaines/Brownie def. Feldman/Ellis 214-196.
|
|