July 28, 2024 Nolan Hughes

Through the semifinals at the Storm PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles, commonly known as the Luci, defending champions Anthony Simonsen and Danielle McEwan sit atop the standings.

They own a total pinfall of 4,984 (+584) through 22 combined games heading into 12 games of round-robin match play.

"It's always cool to see our banner up there and to get our rings at the beginning of the week, but then it was just back to work. It's a completely new tournament. We want to come in and win just like every event," McEwan said. "(Our communication) was really good. We're talking everything through really well. We're learning more from last year as we're going and it's helping us make good decisions moving forward and keep connected."

Last year, Simonsen and McEwan qualified in 30th place before scaling the leaderboard on the final day. This year, a stronger qualifying finish of ninth made the ascent to the top a little less steep, but the duo accelerated with the same force.

McEwan shot games of 244, 201, 246 and 205 during Sunday morning’s four-game semifinal round at Copperfield Bowl in Houston, while Simonsen blitzed the 42-foot oil pattern to the tune of 214, 290, 278 and 267.

"Having a better start on Friday made it a little easier coming in this morning to not have to press. We could just bowl and see what happens," Simonsen said. "I was fortunate to find really good ball reaction (this morning). I told her, 'Do whatever you think will help us for the rest of the tournament. I'll take care of this block.'"

Behind Simonsen and McEwan are Andrew Anderson and Erin McCarthy (+554), Frank Snodgrass and Jordan Richard (+511), Dom Barrett and Diana Zavjalova (+479), with Alec Keplinger and Juliana Botero (+474) rounding out the top five.

Mitch Hupé and Julia Bond jumped from 22nd place and 82 pins behind the cut with one game to go into 12th place. Hupé shot 276 to Bond’s 220, enough to surpass Andrew Hall and Sarah Klassen by 18 pins for the final berth in match play.

The first-time Luci partners said they knew they needed a big final game to make the cut, but with so many teams in contention they weren’t sure how big of a game would be required to advance. In similar fashion to the Roth/Holman PBA Doubles Championship earlier this season, Hupé and his partner pulled off the comeback.

“I was kind of thinking that in the back of my mind. (Packy and I) shot 290 to make the show, it’s not that hard,” Hupé said.

After Hupé and Bond finished the semifinals in style, they can now laugh about their start to the event.

“We got off to a rocky start,” said Hupé, alluding to the fact that he forgot his backpack and nearly missed the start of their qualifying round on Friday.

“But overall it’s been good,” Bond added. “We've had good communication. We've made good decisions and we've learned a lot. If something didn't work, I think we were pretty quick to try something else. We've supported each other pretty well throughout the event and it's been fun on my end, so I think that definitely helps. We're definitely on a positive note, so I feel like we can just ride that momentum.”

The 159-team field was trimmed to 40 on Saturday evening following the final qualifying squad. After four additional games Sunday morning, the top 12 teams advanced to round-robin match play.

Two six-game rounds will be held at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern (11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. local) on Sunday.

“It’s nice to have a nothing-to-lose attitude, which is where we’re at,” Hupé said. “We’re just glad to be in the top 12. With 30 bonus pins and 12 games, last can become first and first can become last.”

The team with the most total pins after match play wins a title on their respective national tour and the $25,000 prize.

Post-Semifinals Leaders

  1. Anthony Simonen and Danielle McEwan, 4,984 (+584)
  2. Andrew Anderson and Erin McCarthy, 4,954 (+554)
  3. Frank Snodgrass and Jordan Richard, 4,911 (+511)
  4. Dom Barrett and Diana Zavjalova, 4,879 (+479)
  5. Alec Keplinger and Juliana Botero, 4,874 (+474)
  6. Richie Teece and Liz Kuhlkin, 4,794 (+394)
  7. Sean Riccardi and Karsyn Lukosius, 4,791 (+391)
  8. Kris Prather and Hope Gramly, 4,776 (+376)
  9. Matt Kuba and Ashly Galante, 4,749 (+349)
  10. François Lavoie and Crystal Elliott, 4,748 (+348)
  11. Kevin McCune and Emma Wren, 4,743 (+343)
  12. Mitch Hupé and Julia Bond, 4,726 (+326)

Full standings are available here.

Tournament Schedule

Copperfield Bowl | Houston, Texas

All times listed in Eastern

Sunday, July 28
12:30 p.m. — Match Play Round 1 (six games, round robin)
4:30 p.m. — Match Play Round 1 (six games, round robin)
Highest total pinfall wins

More information on the Storm PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles is available here.