New leaders emerge in Ruby Doubles during final week of 2021 USBC Women's Championships

RENO, Nev. - Being able to work together at an event like the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships is a constant key to success, and Khrystyna Liske of Delta, Pennsylvania, and Kimberley Haney of Aberdeen, Maryland, relied on their experiences as doubles partners to take the lead in Ruby Doubles.

Liske led the effort at the National Bowling Stadium on Tuesday with games 226, 243 and 268 for a 737 series, and Haney added 196, 170 and 205 for a 571 set as they combined for a 1,308 total.

Jennifer Putibet of Maywood, Illinois, and Bettie Vines-Mathis of Park Forest, Illinois, previously led with 1,285.

Liske and Haney have bowled tournaments together at the local and state levels, but Tuesday's pairing was their first time matching up at the USBC Women's Championships.

Liske, a 29-year-old right-hander, made her tournament debut this week in Reno, and Haney, a 60-year-old right-hander, made her 10th appearance at the Women's Championships.

"We've been bowling together for a few years and really know how to feed off each other," Liske said. "Communication was a key factor in our success."

A strong start put them in position to make a run at the lead, and they saved their best for last at the NBS. Liske started with a pair of spares before rolling eight consecutive strikes, while Haney added three in a row of her own in the middle of the final game.

Although they were not sure of the number they were chasing in Ruby Doubles, they were quickly congratulated after they secured the top spot by other bowlers on their squad.

"I was trying to keep my mind in the game, focus on one frame at a time and just have some fun," Haney said. "We didn't look at the leaderboard, but I was curious about halfway through the third game."

Liske also credited their lane play in helping them during the set, and she only has a few days to see whether or not the score will be enough to claim a national title at the 101st edition of the Women's Championships.

The 2021 event will conclude Saturday, July 3.

"We usually can play the same area of the lane, and it worked out well for us to put up a big number," said Liske, who added sets of 637 in team and 573 in singles for a 1,947 all-events total in the Diamond Division. "For my first showing at this event, it would be a year to remember if it holds on. I will definitely be checking the website every day to see if anyone comes close."

The doubles performance Tuesday was Haney's first run at the top of the leaderboard during her Women's Championships career, and she's excited to see if she can add a national title to her collection.

"I'm pleased with my performance," said Haney, who added 544 in team and 521 in singles for a 1,636 all-events total in the Emerald Division. "I'm very hopeful our score holds up and excited to be in this position."

Ruby Doubles features bowlers with combined entering averages of 322-349.