Tournament report for Pacific Coast Classic, in Lincoln City OR, Oct. 14-18^th 2009

Gerda’s first round opponent was Caroline Pao from New York.  Caroline is always a tough opponent and Gerda had to play very well in order to stay ahead and eventually win 9-5.  The match started out really well with Gerda taking a comfortable lead.  After a 5 minute break Pao pulled close and nearly tied the match.  Gerda was able to regroup and take the upper hand again.  At 8-5 ahead Gerda took a chance on a long 1-9 carom and lucked in the 9-ball in a different pocket then intended.  Sometimes “winging” the 9 pays off.

Second round opponent was Stephanie Mitchell.  She beat a very tough Kyoko Sone from Japan in the first round.  Stephanie didn’t play her best in the match with Gerda and allowed her to cruise to a decisive 9-4 victory.

In the third round match, which was to make the cut into the last 16 single elimination stage, Gerda faced Vivian Villarreal.  Both players had several uncharacteristic misses in the first half of the match.  Gerda and Viv went head to head until the score was 5-5.  A jump shot by Vivian that didn’t go in, but corner hooked Gerda, led to ball in hand for the Tornado and she got to 6-5.  Followed by a strong game, Vivian went ahead 7-5.   Gerda hung in there and after being down 6-8, managed to get the match to hill-hill.  On the hill Gerda made the 1, was forced to play a safety on the 2.  Vivian’s kick didn’t work out and Gerda was rewarded with ball in hand.  After a quick evaluation on the lay out, Gerda opted to go for a tough 2-9 combo and made it.  It was not a pretty match, but the G-Force was very pleased nonetheless.

In round one of the single elimination stage (last 16), Gerda drew Sarah Rousey.  Sarah has a well-rounded game, and a killer break, so she is always a very tough opponent.  In that match Gerda managed to play one of her best sets ever.  After being down 1-2, Gerda hit a gear.  Strong run outs paired with very effective safeties whenever the situation called for it, led to Gerda being in complete control for the rest of the match.  The end result was an impressive 9-2 victory, and the chance to play Xiaoting Pan in the televised quarterfinals.

Quarterfinal #4 was the last match of the day on Saturday evening.  Gerda had a chance to make it an all European semifinal day, after Jasmin, Allison and Karen each winning their quarterfinal matches.  Gerda’s match with Xiaoting started out really well.  She took advantage of her chances and pulled ahead 3-0.  Xiaoting took a break to change the momentum, came back and got the match to 3-2.  Some strong run outs and some very good kicks and safes gave Gerda a 6-2 lead!!  Gerda got a chance to close out the match after a bad safety on the 1ball by Xiaoting.  She missed the cut in the side however, and Pan ran out.  After that X-Pan played a super comeback.  She broke and ran two of the next three games.  Gerda scratched on one of her breaks, which lead to a run out for Xiaoting.  On the hill, Gerda broke and made a ball, but had no shot on the 1-ball.  After a push out which Xiaoting returned, Gerda played a beautiful safety shot which forced Xiaoting to kick.  Her kick ended up in a rather fortunate safe.  Gerda had to kick at the 1-ball, ended up making a 1-8 combo, BUT also scratched.  That was the end of Gerda’s dream to win another tournament.

Another close one…  Gerda will head home and practice her break; she is already looking forward to our Florida Classic.