Schjodt Posts Spirit Tour Win

Jumpshots Sportsbar & Billiards in Delray Beach, Florida, was the scene of the Ladies Spirit Tour's fourth stop on April 29-30, 2006. The event attracted a field of 32 ladies out to win a piece of the $2600 purse and the qualifier into the WPBA Cuetec Cues Florida Classic to be held in Hollywood, Florida in June. The $500 qualifier was donated by LTLUniverse.com.

By the end of day one, Tracie Hines, Debbie Schjodt, Stephanie Mitchell, and newcomer Veronique Menard remained undefeated. On the one-loss side, eight players remained including Xiaoting Pan, Vanessa Seaver, Laura Lindauer, Kelly Coyle, Bonnie Coats, Jessica Barnes, Crystal McCormick and Jeannie Seaver.

Hines and Schjodt faced off, with Schjodt pulling a 7-4 win over Hines to advance to the hot seat match. Also advancing to the hot seat match was Veronique Menard with her 7-2 win over Stephanie Mitchell. On the B-side, Xiaoting Pan was recovering from her first-round loss to Hines with six wins in a row before running into Hines again and meeting her defeat 7-5.

Schjodt and Menard faced off for the hot seat and Menard took the first rack to lead 1-0, but Schjodt jumped in with the second rack to tie. Schjodt got in rhythm and took 5 of the next 6 games to lead 6-2. After a safety battle on the two-ball, Schjodt took ball in hand to run the rack and close the set at 7-2, advancing to the finals.

Menard took to the B-side to face Hines and the players traded racks to tie at 3-3. Hines then took control of the match and dominated the set to charge ahead to a 6-3 lead. Menard was making a stand in the final rack, but an unfortunate position error on the 8-ball cost her and she gave ball in hand to Hines. Hines pocketed the last two balls and moved into the finals with the 7-3 win.

Schjodt and Hines squared off and a relaxed atmosphere preceded the finals, but when it was time to play, the ladies put their game faces on. The players traded the first two games, but Hines made the cue ball dance as she ran the next rack to lead 2-1. Hines' inspired play seemed to get Schjodt in gear and she ran out to tie at 2-2. Schjodt then broke and ran to pull ahead to lead 3-2 but a missed 8-ball in the next rack let Hines take back a game to again tie at 3-3. Schjodt was able to take another game but couldn't stop Hines' momentum as Hines forged ahead to lead 6-4. A safety on the 3-ball by Hines in the next rack resulted in Schjodt jumping in the 3-ball and running out to close the gap to 6-5. A thin cut on the 8 led to a scratch for Hines and ball in hand for Schjodt on the 9-ball to tie 6-6. This game was critical as a win by Schjodt would end the tournament but a win by Hines would force a second set. The pressure was evident as Schjodt ran out but missed a critical shot on the 6-ball and Hines missed the 7. Schjodt had no trouble with the final three balls and secured the victory, making her first win of the season.

 The next stop will be at Wally's Billiards & Sportsroom in Lakeland on June 10, 2006, for another successful event sponsored by LTLUniverse.com, Olhausen Billiard Mfg., Inc., McDermott Cue Mfg., Inc., and Sterling Gaming.

LTLUniverse.com Results: