Hi everyone, I'm home safe and sound. I have to thank Landshark77 and pipponbilliards aka Michelle and Richard. I really appreciate your updates on the tournament. I apologize to everyone for not being able to do it myself. As it was said in another post, there was no internet access in the hotel. Dial-up an option, but a very expensive option. Hopefully Florida will be different.
On to the tournament....
My first match I played China Chien. I have known China for many years and it is great to see her playing on tour. Our match was not all that pretty though. We both made great shots but I think we both made alot of mistakes. I ended up winning 9-1. I was lucky that it was a bit of an off day for her.
Second match I played Jennifer Chen. What a match. It didn't seem like it was going to be a good match but it turned into one. I really didn't think I was going to get a chance to shoot. Jennifer did not miss a ball, her break was working perfect and my break was only working so-so. She pulled out to a 3-0 lead but I had my chance to come back. I came back to 3-2 and had a huge opportunity with a scratch on the break. I couldn't capitalize. After that it was like a runaway train. She pulled to an 8-2 lead, not missing a single ball along the way. Then a glimmer of hope, she missed! After that I tried to make the right decisions and take my time. I started getting more chances and being able to capitalize on them. I came back all the way to 8-7. The table was really ugly after the break. I had a really tough shot on the one and made it ended up hooking myself on the two. With no way to hit it I tied the balls up and gave ball in hand. She played a safety but I could see a little bit of the ball. I tried to make a carom but it didn't work out. She ran out to win the set. I was upset about losing, but happy that I made it into a match rather than a blow-out.
Third match I played Aileen Dimmick (Pippen). I didn't know what to expect. I knew that she is a great player but I have never really watched her play. She quit playing on tour around the time I started. I was so impressed. Neither of us missed a ball until the score was 5-4. It was an amazing display of playing the "right" side of the ball. Towards the end of the match Aileen missed a couple of key shots that opened the door for me. I ended up winning the match 9-5. I really hope she starts playing on tour again. She is a great player and very nice person.
Fourth match I played Darleen Stinson. I can't say that I played as well as the match before but I did play alright. Darleen missed some balls at the end of the rack that let me pull ahead. I was ahead 6-1 and she started to come back. She came back to 6-4. I got ended up winning the match 9-4. The exciting part was that she left the 9 right near the pocket when I was on the hill but the cueball floated right up to the only spot on the table where it couldn't be cut in. I had to kick it in! It was the first time I have ever had to do that.
Fifth match I played Melissa Morris. Melissa and I have played many times this year. Each time it has been a struggle. This time I pulled ahead to a 6-1 lead. Then I decided that I would fall asleep. Next thing I know the score is 6-6. Luckily she missed a few shots that allowed me to take the lead. I ended up winning 9-6. Melissa has been playing great this year, beating the majority of the top players. I think very soon she will be a force to be reckoned with.
Sixth and final match I played Julie Kelly. I started out great, ahead 3-0. I got a little careless and missed a fairly makeable 9 to go up 4-0. After that it was 3-3. Then I pulled ahead to another lead 7-4. I missed a safety that allowed her to run out. She started not missing and her break worked very well. She pulled ahead 8-7. On the hill she missed a safety that allowed me to run out. Hill-hill and my break...what an opportunity. All week I was breaking well and making balls. This time, it was not the case. My cue ball was great, perfect shot on the one. The four ball looking like it was going to fall but suddenly stopped. Julie ended up running the rack for the win.
So I ended up with another 13-16 finish. I can't complain at all but the top 10 was so close. That is the only thing that hurts. Thank goodness there is always next time.
A big congrats to Hsin Huang for taking over my Rookie of the Year award. She most definitely deserves it. And to Ikumi Ushiroda for winning the Tournament Directors award.
It was a pleasure to meet some of the others that post here. PaulAlex was a great fan and friend and this tournament. Kingcarom aka Ryley took it easy on me when we got a chance to play. I appreciate that
Hopefully some of the other great people I got to meet there will begin posting here as well. The fans at this tournament were really great. I look forward to going back next year.
Take care,
Sarah
