SYRACUSE, N.Y. - After a disappointing performance at the 2011 USBC Queens last week, Brittany Signor of nearby Watertown, N.Y., was determined to have a better showing at the USBC Women's Championships.

The 22-year-old right-hander definitely achieved that goal as she moved into the top spot in Diamond Singles with an 806 series at the Oncenter Convention Center on Sunday.

Signor rolled games of 212, 235 and 257 for a 704 scratch set, and an additional 34 pins of handicap per game lifted her past Brenda Pugh of La Mesa, Calif., who previously held the lead with 796.

"I've been waiting for another 700, and this was a good place to get it," said Signor, whose career-high series is 709 with a 300 game. "Bowling at nationals this year was like a test drive for me. Now, I want to go to more. I definitely liked it."

After averaging 162 in her 10 qualifying games at the Queens, Signor was glad to see such a dramatic improvement in her Women's Championships debut.

"Towards the end of the second game of singles, I just got locked in and found the shot," said Signor, who bowls at Pla-Mor Lanes in Watertown. "Everything was perfect for me. I didn't imagine I could do this after the Queens, and it means everything. We'll see how it plays out because the tournament doesn't end until July. But it's pretty cool doing it my first time here."

Signor decided to bowl in the Queens and Women's Championships because the tournament venue is only an hour from her home.

"I was looking for opportunities to improve my bowling, and these tournaments were perfect," Signor said. "The Queens was a great experience. I had a lot of fun, even though I didn't bowl well. It gave me a preview of the environment and what the lanes were like. It also taught me to keep focused on every shot."

Signor added 555 in doubles and 542 in team for a 1,801 scratch all-events total. Her all-events total with handicap was 2,107, which is just outside of the top 10 in Diamond All-Events.

The Diamond Division includes bowlers with averages of 180 and above.

Sponsors for the 2011 USBC Women's Championships sponsors include Turning Stone Resort and Casino, official brackets sponsor, Humana, official registration sponsor, Miller Lite and Molson Canadian, official beer sponsors. Supporting sponsors include Storm Bowling Products, Nationwide Insurance, The Oncenter, Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau, Caz Limo & Tours, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and Brunswick, official lane provider.