SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Paula Vidad of Sun City, Calif., topped defending champion Char Hammel of Las Vegas, 639-542, to earn the No. 1 seed for the championship round of the 2011 USBC Senior Queens on Tuesday.

Hammel still has a chance to successfully defend her title, however, after defeating LuAnn Carbonetto of Blauvelt, N.Y., to advance out of the contenders bracket.

With the double-elimination format, Hammel will have to defeat Vidad twice to claim the coveted title and $3,500 first-place prize as well as become the first bowler to win consecutive Senior Queens titles.

The two will square off in a three-game, total-pinfall match beginning Wednesday at 10 a.m. EDT, and should Hammel win, the second match will immediately follow. The battle will be broadcast live on BOWL.com.

"When you know you're throwing the ball well, and you know your opponent has to beat you twice to win, it's a huge advantage and helps you relax," said Vidad, who averaged 211.4 on the way to a 5-0 match-play record at the Oncenter Convention Center this week. "I feel really good, and I'm excited about this opportunity. I'd really love to just go out and win the first match, so I don't have to worry about any added pressure."