Latvia's Diana Zavjalova became the first foreign player in more than two decades to win the United States Bowling Congress Queens as she defeated USBC Hall of Famer Leanne Hulsenberg of North Ogden, Utah, 190-160, at Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center on Thursday night.

The 22-year-old right-hander was the first No. 1 seed since 2009 to secure the title, and she did so in her first USBC Queens appearance. Hall of famer Carol Gianotti of Australia was the last foreign player to claim the coveted crown, doing so in 1989, two years before Zavjalova was born.

"There are just so many feelings right now, but excitement is at the top of the list," said Zavjalova, who earned $20,000 and the traditional Queens tiara. "This is the first time I have bowled in this event, I was the leader and I was able to beat a hall of famer. I'm living my dream. I just can't believe it."

I am sure with this being her first individual tournament the nerves were flowing. Zavjalova looked solid with her first few shots, though the 10 pin had other words. After missing one in the second frame, Zavjalova said "I was mad on the inside, but I knew I had to let it go." She struck in the sixth, seventh and eighth frames to put the game out of reach. "I started fresh after the open, and even though I left another 10 pin, I made it and kept trying to throw good shots."

I want to say congrats to Diana Zavjalova! I had a feeling Wednesday night that she would win before they had finished that night. Even though Leanne Hulsenberg, who has made more than 100 television appearances in her career, threw 15 strikes in her first two matches but was plagued with poor carry in the finale. The 1999 Queens champion missed two single-pin spares late in the game to ultimately cost her a chance at becoming the ninth bowler in history with two Queens victories. She took home $10,000 for the runner-up finish Thursday.

The Queens is open to any female USBC member, and with this year's event coming just after the World Tenpin Bowling Association World Championships, the field included 202 players representing 15 countries. Other international Queens winners include Kazue Inahashi of Tokyo in 1984 and Katsuko Sugimoto, also from Tokyo, in 1981 and 1982.