RENO, Nev. - With Mother's Day just days away, Erika and Kiara Shambry of Camden, N.J., shared an experience many mother-daughter tandems hope to enjoy at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.

Both made their USBC Women's Championships debuts this week and found instant success at the National Bowling Stadium as they moved into the Ruby Doubles lead with a 1,280 total Saturday. Sherri Brown of Bay City, Mich., and Bernadette Montoya of Socorro, N.M., previously held the top spot with 1,243.

Kiara, just 19 years old, led the way with games of 164, 229 and 205 for a 598 series, while Erika added 200, 191 and 186 for a 577 set and 1,175 scratch total. The pair entered the tournament with a combined average of 325, so they received an additional 35 pins of handicap per game to reach their final score.

The entire Shambry family enjoys taking to the lanes, and the mother and daughter used a favorite expression of husband and father, Edvon Shambry, to inspire them along as they made their way toward the top of the leaderboard.

"After every strike, we'd yell 'get that dog,' which is his favorite expression when he strikes," the 40-year-old Erika said. "It helped to spur us on."

The two found their way to the 2012 Women's Championships as substitutes, but after experiencing the one-of-a-kind Stadium and seeing the trophies they could win, they may have inspired a family tradition.

"This is our first tournament, and we only filled in for someone else who canceled," said Erika, who bowls regularly at Westbrook Lanes in Brooklawn, N.J. "But it is an impressive place, and the whole event is really something we'd like to keep doing."

Kiara finished up her 2012 event with sets of 587 in singles and 517 in team for a 1,780 all-events total. Erika added 526 in team and 507 in singles for 1,637. Edna Rilloraza of Beaverton, Ore., leads both Ruby Singles and Ruby All-Events with 728 and 1,872, respectively. All scores include handicap.

The Ruby Division includes bowlers with averages between 150 and 179, with handicap based on 100 percent of 180.

Presenting sponsors for the 2012 USBC Women's Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Harrah's Reno Casino, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, Nationwide Insurance, Sands Regency Casino Hotel and Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa and MyBowlingVacation.com.