Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 28, 1994 TAG: 9405280037
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Now I don't feel so bad," said Monday, trying to get a feel for the lanes during practice Friday afternoon. "That's pretty low."
Monday, from Toledo, Ohio, could not come to Roanoke last year because an illness had caused her to miss too much work, but four weeks later she won the second Northeast Region event at Odenton, Md.
Monday, competing as Jodi Roberts before her fall wedding, was bowling against Linda Kelly for third place but had enough pinfall to overtake the leader.
"I was 10 lanes away [from the leaders]," Monday said. "I didn't know what had happened until I turned to Linda after the last ball and asked, `Did I win?' "
In her quest for a second Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour regional title, Monday very likely could see Kelly again. Kelly, who won the Viking Lanes Regional last year, is the lone entrant to have won a national LPBT event.
"I try not to think about who I have to beat," Monday, 24, said. "I just try and knock down as many pins as I can. That's pressure enough for me."
Monday is one of four past LPBT regional winners in the field, joining Kelly; Florence Henderson of Spring Lake, N.C.; and Stephanie Chiera of Great Barrington, Mass.
Thirty-four bowlers are expected for two five-game blocks of qualifying today at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The low 10 after qualifying will return for 10 games of match play beginning Sunday at 9 a.m.
Viking Lanes, allowed one "star" entry, selected Dawn DeLong of Roanoke. DeLong, who received her invitation Tuesday, had a 708 at the Vinton Bowling Center that was the high set by a women in Roanoke in 1993.
Sheila Hale of Roanoke, who finished sixth last year, committed to the Women's International Bowling Congress before she realized there was a conflict with the Viking Lanes event, which is being held one week earlier this year.
by CNB