Let the Games Begin

sarahrousey

sarahrousey

pro player
Silver Member
The tournament here in Peoria, IL at the Par-a-dice Casino is ready to begin. We started tonight with the players meeting and draw. The format of this tournament is different. We are using the same format as Florida last year. The final 16 will be single elimination and the final 8 players will be playing on ESPN...because of this, the matches start a little earlier. So, my luck, and lack of being in the top 16 earned me a 10am match. It is a tough one too. I will be playing Liz Ford (formerly Schwartzreich). I will be back with updates after the match. I look forward to seeing alot of familiar and new faces tomorrow.

Take care,
Sarah
 
I will be playing Liz Ford (formerly Schwartzreich).


Say hello to Liz from the players in Seattle. I, for one, am proud of how she has improved in the last 7 years.

Good luck this weekend, Sarah!
 
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Thanks everyone. I won my first match 9-3. It wasn't an extremely well played match, but it got the job done. It was a tight one at first but I got some rolls and played a couple good safes that got me ball in hand towards the end of the rack. Liz played well but the use of the shot clock got to her. She is one player that I have alot of respect for and I look forward to her breaking out of her shell soon. We all better watch out then.

I play the winner of the Jessica Barnes/Monica Webb match at 7:45 pm.

Take care.
Sarah
 
Well, at 10:45 the match score was 3-3...after use of the shot clock, we finished in ample time. The shot clock is being enforced more quickly at this tournament because we have to get down to 8 players by Saturday. I, personally do not think that is a bad idea.

Sarah
 
sarahrousey said:
..The shot clock is being enforced more quickly at this tournament


I, personally do not think that is a bad idea.
Click to expand...

For the sake of the fans I am glad to see the shot clock enforced. Unfortunately, often times it seems it not the players' fault, simply that the balls roll funny and some serious safety battles ensue.

I watched the last half your hill-hill thrilla against Romana Dokovic. You played well, only missing one or two balls. Unfortunately for you and your cadre of screaming Illini pulling for you, Romana played well too.

I also watched the hill-hill thrilla in which Melissa got ousted by Megan Minerich. It seemed Megan was playing a notch above normal and Melissa was not quite as sharp as usual, and that was the difference.

And to top the night off, we watched a hill-hill thrilla (with a tv appearance riding on it) between the Texas Tornado and the Duchess of Doom. Despite the extremely high level of play and the tension, both players genuinely enjoyed themselves and the crowd loved it.

At one point VV whiffed a kick at an object ball and she turned to the crowd and said "missed it by that much" holding her thumb and forefinger about 1/16" apart. When she turned to go to her seat Allison looked at the crowd and grinned and held her thumb and forefinger about an inch apart, causing general good-natured laughter by the gallery and by VV also.

matches start today at 3:00 pm. I better get the VIP seats I paid $60 apiece for (as opposed too $20 GA) or I will be miffed

later folks....

Wally <~~ was an honorary Fighting Illini last night
 
Thanks Wally for posting that news clip. I didn't have a chance to see it when it was on the other night.

Sorry I didn't make it back to post about my other matches. So here is the kinda late summary.

My second match was against Monica Webb. The score looks like it was a resepectable match. Unfortunately, I was winning the match 6-2. I was playing well, Monica wasn't. She made some mistakes that allowed me to get the lead. When the score was 6-3, I had an opportunity. Monica scratched on the break and it was a relatively easy out. I made a very careless error and missed position on the 5ball. After that the tides turned and Monica stole the momentum. She started playing great and I looked like I never played the game before (at least that is how it felt). She ended up beating me 9-6. I can't lie and say that didn't bother me. It showed why she is in the top 10. She doesn't give up and knows how to capitalize. I can take a lesson from her in that department.

My third match was against Tara McCracken. I had never played Tara before but I had watched quite a bit. She is a good player, very aggressive. I played well in that match only making a few mistakes and took advantage of mistakes on her part. I won the match 9-3. I personally think it should have been closer than that.

My final match was against Romana Dokovic. Again, I started out with a lead. I was winning 4-2. Then Romana made a comeback. She got the lead 6-5, then it was back and forth with her getting to the hill first. I got the break 8-8 and I was left with an ugly table. I banked the 1ball trying to break out the 2 and didn't get the break out. I tried to play safe, but it seemed as if I left her out. She missed the 6 but left me tough. The 8 and 9 were tied up in the pocket and the only way to make the 8 was to hit the 7 into the 9 and make the 8. I will make a diagram when I get home and use my own computer. I tried to make a difficult cut shot and missed but just a small margin. She made a good shot on the 7 and won the match.

I thank everyone who was here to support me...from Illinois or just honorary Illinoisans. The fan club was awesome and I greatly appreciate it. I really wish I could have done better in this tournament. I practiced and worked extremely hard. I guess I was just looking for instant reward....rumor has it, this stuff takes time. At least I can take my mistakes and analyze them and figure out how to fix them. I now know some other things that I need to work on.

It was great to meet fellow AZers. I got to spend some quality time with WallyinCincy and Cathy, ChefJeff and Barb, Zeeder, ManifestEcstasy, and Vagabond. It was also good to see SJM, Williebetmore, and DrCuesProtege again. I'm sorry if I forgot anyone. There is still today to meet others and I hope to get that chance.

Thanks again everyone,
Sarah
 
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sarahrousey said:
I thank everyone who was here to support me...from Illinois or just honorary Illinoisans.
Click to expand...

Just in case anyone ever wondered, Sarah Rousey is...

ummm...

how do the kids say it?

oh yeah...

she's "the bomb"

:D
 
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