Martin, Pluhowsky Show Top Five Performance at Waterloo Open

Waterloo, Iowa - Husker legend Shannon Pluhowsky and 2023 NTCA Rookie of the Year Jillian Martin represented the Nebraska Bowling team with a top five finish Thursday evening at the PWBA Waterloo Open.

Pluhowsky was a dominant force during the opening rounds by finishing Wednesday’s 12-game block with a 2,912 total, which was good enough for a 242.67 average and first place in the field of more than 80 bowlers. Martin secured her spot in the top-five, sitting comfortably in third with a 2,759 total and a 232.88 average.

As the third overall seed, Martin faced Diana Zavjalova in round two of the stepladder finals after Zavjalova’s first victory in round one against fifth-seed Kerry Smith (244-204).  

Two years ago, to the very day, Martin, at just 17 years old, became the youngest player to ever win a PWBA Tour title, when she defeated England’s Verity Crawley, 221-188, to win the 2021 PWBA BowlTV Classic in Arlington, Texas.

Martin battled, but fell to Zavjalova 249-223 to finish fourth and earn the $2,500 cash prize. Zavjalova then defeated Jordan Richard (212-192) to face top-seeded Pluhowsky in the finals. 

In the first-place match, Pluhowsky struck nine of her final 10 shots, but Zavjalova came out on top (279-244). Pluhowsky walked away with $5,000.  

The Waterloo Open was the first tournament of PWBA Championship Week. The week will also include the Pepsi Open and PWBA Tour Championship, the final major of the 2023 PWBA Tour season.