USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS – The force was strong with schoolteacher Katelyn Schaibly out of Lapeer, Mich., on Sunday as she took the overall lead in Ruby Singles at the 2025 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships.
Schaibly was parsecs ahead of the competition with a total of 692. She was in complete control out on the lanes at the South Point Bowling Plaza, almost firing a 300 game to close her set.
In Game 1, Schaibly rolled a score of 183. For Game 2, she picked it up with a total score of 211. In Game 3, Schaibly had a moment out of “The Empire Strikes Back” with a lights-out total of 298. She left the 4-7 on her final delivery.
Schaibly’s previous high score was 264.
“I was very calm throughout the whole time,” Schaibly said. “Then, once I got to the ninth frame, I was thinking, ‘Wow, maybe this could really happen.’”
Some of the nerves started to set in for Schaibly, but she held her own.
“So, I kind of got a little shaky and a little more nervous toward the ninth frame,” Schaibly said. “But, other than that, I was calm, and I was just throwing my ball.”
Schaibly has bowled the USBC Women’s Championships just twice, and both times have been at the South Point Bowling Plaza (the first being in 2023, and now in 2025). Her husband and good friends were supporting her as well, which was cool to see.
The emotions still were setting in for her after the performance Sunday, with tears of joy showing how much the moment really meant to her. Schaibly was going to celebrate by calling her parents and telling them the exciting news.
“It feels good,” Schaibly said. “I felt shocked when I found out I took the lead. It still doesn’t feel real to me yet.”
Ruby Singles features bowlers with entering averages of 156-175.
HAYES GOES BIG LATE
Krystal Hayes of St. Albans, N.Y., came into her third women’s national event just expecting to enjoy her weekend, but she didn’t imagine taking the lead in Sapphire Singles at the 2025 event.
Hayes did just that, beating the previous leading score by over 40 pins. In Game 1, Hayes rolled a 159 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. In Game 2, she bowled a solid score of 178. Hayes saved her best game for last, firing off a big score of 233.
She finished with a grand total of 570. Hayes was shocked that she had taken the lead in Sapphire Singles.
“It has been a complete shock. It was something that I just really didn’t think about,” Hayes said.
Hayes just wanted to enjoy her experience by bowling the best she could and not stress about a record.
“I just went out there and wanted to have fun and just bowl,” she said.
Hayes has really liked the set up of the Bowling Plaza at South Point.
“It’s beautiful here,” Hayes said. “This is the first time I felt like my ball knows how to work on the lanes. This is my second tournament bowling at South Point. The last time was in 2023.”
Hayes made her debut at the USBC Women’s Championships during the 2022 event in Addison, Ill. She skipped last year’s tournament because a teammate had a medical issue, but she was happy to be back this year.
Throughout her singles set, Hayes was calm, cool and collected.
“I just wanted to stay consistent. I just made sure to watch my steps and stay out of my head and be compatible throughout my rolls,” Hayes said.
In addition to taking the lead in Sapphire Singles, Hayes also made her way into third place in Sapphire All-Events with a 1,447 score. She had 471 in doubles and 406 in team.
The Sapphire Division features bowlers with entering averages of 135 and below.