ISLE FILE
Hawaii bowler wins PBA event
Advertiser Staff
Robert Smith, of Captain Cook, Hawai'i, defeated Brad Angelo, 223-205, yesterday to capture the CLR Windy City Classic in Vernon Hills, Ill., his seventh career Pro Bowlers Association event title.
Smith, who moved from California to Hawai'i last year, missed most of last season with a hip injury. It was his first PBA event title since 2004.
"The pain, the hip problem, taking the year off... all of it," Smith said in a story at the PBA Web site. "All the hard work I put in, it was all worth it. It's a relief just to come back and bowl. The win is a bonus. I really think it's the start of a new era for me."
Smith used four consecutive strikes in the fifth through eighth frames to take control and his nine-spare in the ninth frame sealed it.
Smith, 33, earned $25,000 for the win and an exemption for the 2008-09 season.
VOLLEYBALL
U.S. BEATS TUNISIA
Gabe Gardner amassed a match-high 20 points as the U.S. men's national team beat Tunisia, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-17, yesterday at the FIVB World Cup in Okayama, Japan.
Gardner, who subbed in for starter Clay Stanley at opposite, had 17 kills, two blocks and one ace. Stanley, a Kaiser High and University of Hawai'i alum, had four points on two kills and two aces.
Reid Priddy contributed 17 points on 14 kills, two aces and one block.
"I thought the Tunisians played with heart," U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "Our team was slow at the start, but once we improved our receiving and serving we got into a good rhythm."
The United States finished with six total aces and 54 "excellent" receptions in 72 attempts with just two faults. It also had 50 digs as compared to 39 for Tunisia.
The fifth-ranked Americans (4-2) will play No. 19 Korea (1-4) today. The top three World Cup finishers will qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
