18
- June 2017
LIZ JOHNSON CAPTURES TITLE AT PWBA STORM
SACRAMENTO OPEN
By
Matt Cannizzaro
BATON ROUGE, La.
– United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Liz Johnson of
Deerfield, Illinois, claimed her first title of the 2017 Professional Women’s Bowling Associa-
tion Tour season, delivering in the final frame of the PWBA Storm Sacramento Open.
The 2015 and 2016 PWBA Player of the Year captured her 17th career PWBA Tour title
by defeating Latvia’s Diana Zavjalova, 224-211, in the title match of the stepladder finals
that aired nationally on CBS Sports Network on Tuesday.
A back-and-forth championship match saw Johnson take the early lead after Zavjalova
opened in the fourth frame, but Zavjalova regained the advantage after striking on her next
five offerings.
Stepping up first in the 10th frame, Zavjalova had the opportunity to shut out Johnson with
a sixth consecutive strike, but she left a 6-7 split and was unable to convert.
Johnson took advantage by delivering three strikes in the 10th frame to secure the win
and $10,000 top prize.
“I didn’t expect that opportunity in the 10th from Diana,” said Johnson, who now has col-
lected a tour-leading six wins since the relaunch of the PWBA Tour in 2015. “I had very
little to play with, but had to be aggressive. I don’t feel like I’m afraid to get up in that situa-
tion. If I fail, I fail, but I’m not afraid to go up there and make that shot. I don’t think there’s
any greater feeling, and I’m very happy and proud of the way I was able to finish that
game. I’m very confident and feel mentally and physically strong, and this win gives me a
lot of momentum looking ahead at the rest of the season.”.
Zavjalova was looking to become the first player to claim a second title in the 2017 sea-
son. She won her second USBC Queens title in May, defeating Johnson in the title match.
Zavjalova, the No. 3 seed, worked her way into the title match by defeating three-time
PWBA Tour champion Rocio Restrepo of Louisville, Ohio, in the semifinal, 221-198, and
two-time winner Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York, in the opening match of the
stepladder, 192-163.
All qualifying and match-play rounds of the PWBA Storm Sacramento Open were held at
Steve Cook’s Fireside Lanes in Citrus Heights, California, on May 5-6.
The stepladder finals were held May 23 at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, in conjunction with the USBC Queens and the finals of the QubicaAMF PWBA
Sonoma County Open and PWBA Fountain Valley Open.
PWBA Storm Sacramento Open
At Raising Cane’s River Center, Baton Rouge, La.
Final standings
1, Liz Johnson, Deerfield, Ill., 224 (one game),
$10,000
2, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 624 (three games),
$5,000
3, Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, 198 (one game),
$3,500
4, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 163 (one game),
$3,000
Stepladder results
Match No. 1 - Zavjalova def. McEwan, 192-163
Semifinal - Zavjalova def. Restrepo, 221-198
Championship - Johnson def. Zavjalova, 224-211
One of the reasons I had such a great weekend in SAC - a fun
pro-am with the kids. Steve Cook's always a great fan turnout!
Thanks everyone! Sharing a cute picture of me and little Tyler
What a finish! Congratulations to th
torm
Sacramento Open Champion,
