Pashina wins PWBA Twin Cities Regional for first PWBA win
EAGAN, Minn. – Kayla Pashina of Otsego, Minnesota, won the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Twin Cities Regional at Cedarvale Lanes on Sunday, claiming her first career PWBA title. She defeated Kaia Gray of Hazel Crest, Illinois, 245-215, in the championship match.
The win carried extra meaning for the local right-handed bowler, who earlier this year rolled an 836 series during doubles at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships — the highest series in the event’s history.
“I’ve bowled the tour since it came back, so to be here and compete at this level with my friends and parents here, I broke through and finally did it,” Pashina said, fighting back tears.
Pashina qualified as the No. 2 seed after shooting 1,765 for her eight-game block. In the semifinal, she faced Liz Rittenour of Zimmerman, Minnesota, who was coming off a 242-200 win over Kalli Triske of Minnetonka, Minnesota. Triske earned $500 for her fourth-place finish.
The first five frames saw five strikes for Pashina as she quickly pulled ahead of Rittenour, who opened twice before the halfway point. Another open in the sixth frame by Rittenour put her further behind, while Pashina recovered from her own open in the same frame to finish strong and win 223-153. Rittenour earned $610 for third place.
In the title match, Pashina started quickly again, striking in the first four frames before leaving a 10-pin spare in the fifth. Gray stayed close early with two strikes and three spares through five frames.
Both players struck in the next three frames, setting up a potential close finish as each sought her first PWBA title. Pashina converted another 10-pin spare in the ninth, giving Gray a chance to apply pressure.
But Gray went high in the ninth and left a 4-6 split she could not convert, limiting her maximum score to 215. Pashina had already locked in at 218 before the final frame and went on to finish at 245, earning the $1,500 top prize and an automatic berth into match play at the PWBA Regional Showdown. Gray collected $750 for second place.
The victory carried special meaning for Pashina, whose image appeared on the event banner hanging in the middle of Cedarvale Lanes.
“When I saw the banner come out, I thought I better be there and I better bowl well,” Pashina said with a laugh. “I wanted to have a good showing for the hometown crowd.”
With her spot secured for the Regional Showdown in Orlando, Florida, in December, Pashina is eager to make the trip. The winner of that event will have all 2026 PWBA National Tour entry fees covered.
“Obviously that’s huge. It relieves so much of the financial burden,” Pashina said. “Anyone who wins that is going to have a looser swing on the main tour and a little extra motivation. The Regional Showdown is a great warm-up since it’s about five months before the National Tour starts again. It’s an amazing opportunity for us.”
The PWBA Regional Tour continues Oct. 5 in Smyrna, Tennessee, at Smyrna Bowling Center for the PWBA Greater Nashville Regional. For more information on the PWBA Regional Tour, visit PWBA.com/regional-tour.
