Monica Webb Wins the WPBA Championships for Her First WPBA Title!

The last tournament of the year for the WPBA called the WPBA Championships ended Sunday. Along with the women’s professional pool tournament, there was the WPBA’s annual Awards Banquet that took place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Hollywood FL.

Please read the story for the breakdown of the two semi final matches (Monica Webb vs. Vivian Villareal + Kelly Fisher vs. Sarah Rousey) as well as the details of the final match between #1 ranked Kelly Fisher and Monica Webb.

In this post, we also break down some of the highlights from the Awards dinner as well as give you an entire overview of the action.

Monica vs. Vivian Villareal

The WPBA Championships was the last event that the WPBA will have for the remainder of the season.

It has been nearly 10 years since Vivian Villarreal has won a mojor title.

Monica Webb Vivian’s opponent, coming into this match, has yet to capture her first WPBA win on tour.

Vivian’s break wasn’t working well, throughout the match.

Monica was up 6-4, and Vivian shot a 2-9 combination to close the gap to 6-5.

After breaking 6-5 down, Vivian attempted to make the four ball while trying to carom in the nine, which proved unsuccessful.

Monica came with a great shot on the four ball with text book position on the 5 ball which put Monica in line for the run out and an ESPN final appearance.

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Kelly Fisher vs. Sarah Rousey

Sarah Rousey has been a solid force on the tour, but has yet to break into her first WPBA final match.

In order for the emerging phenom to break into the finals, she would have to go through the #1 ranked woman on the tour… Kelly Fisher.

Kelly came out of the gate strong and continued to apply the pressure as she took a commanding 6-0 lead on Sarah in the pressure packed semifinal match.

Sarah broke and ran out the rack in the seventh game, with a huge show of support behind her, many of the fans were screaming no goose egg.

After a a safe on the 4 ball in the last rack that barely leaked out, Kelly was able to clutch out the final game on her way to a 7-1 rout.

This lined up a match between Kelly Fisher and Monica Webb, who was watching in anticipation of who her opponent would be in the Finals of the WPBA championships.

Final Match Monica Webb vs. Kelly Fisher

This was an exciting match up between the #1 ranked player in the World as well as one of the strongest American women on the planet today… Monica Webb.

Kelly Fisher from England, took control of the #1 spot for the first time in her WPBA US Open win, and has not looked back.

It was clear that Kelly wanted to finish the season withe capturing the final event of the season, and Monica Webb from Atlanta, GA reached the WPBA finals for the first time and was tasting her first title.

Kelly set the tone by winning the first game of the set. Monica, came with a strong bank on the 1 ball before running out the second rack to tie up the set at 1-1.

On the third game, Kelly ran out from the 2 ball to go up 2-1.

After coming up dry on the break, Monica barely missed a 1-9 carom which hung the nine in the pocket to Kelly’s delight. After a brief safety battle, Kelly played a three ball combo on the nine to take a 3-1 lead.

In the alternate break format, Monica executed a solid break and run to close the gap to 3-2.

Monica was able to grind back to 4-4 score, making it a quick race to 3 for the title.

In the 9th game of the set, Kelly misplayed position on the 5 ball which proved costly. Kelly kicked the ball, but left Monica an easy shot on the 5 ball. Monica took a deep breath and cleared the rest of the balls on the table to take the first lead in the set!

Kelly had the break and after sinking the 5 ball, entered into a safety battle on the one ball. After a missed safe from Kelly, Monica continued to show her professionalism and nerve of steel as she confidently ran out the rack putting her one game away from the title with a 6-4 lead.

Monica reached the hill first and had the break, and was clearly looking like the title was hers at this point as the momentum had shifted her way.

Monica made a ball on the break and proceeded to pocket the one ball before playing safe on the two.

Kelly came with a two rail kick on the two ball, leaving Monica a safe or a really tough bank shot. Monica shocked the crowd as she makes the improbable bank on the two ball, before running out an impressive last rack to capture her first WPBA title.

This was a major victory for Monica Webb, who has been one of the strongest forces on the tour for some time. Congratulations to Monica for a gritty win in her first WPBA event!

This was the last event of the year for the WPBA, be sure to visit www.wpba.com for the latest on all the players as well as stay tapped into what is to come for the 2009 season!

You will be able to catch the ESPN taped production of the semi finals and finals on the below dates.

ESPN2
December 17, 2008 
5:00pm
WPBA Tour Championships
Quarterfinals #1

ESPN2
December 18, 2008
3:00pm
WPBA Tour Championships
Quarterfinals #2

ESPN2
December 18, 2008
4:30pm
WPBA Tour Championships
Quarterfinals #3

ESPN2
December 18, 2008
5:30pm
WPBA Tour Championships
Quarterfinals #4

Check out the teaser video from ESPN of the last major WPBA event which Kelly Fisher won… The WPBA US Open 9 Ball Championships.

Awards Highlights:

A couple of highlights from the Awards Banquet was the speech that 2007 Rookie of the year Joanne Ashton put together for the 2008 Rookie of the year Iris Ranola. Joanne who is known for her light hearted nature and humor… requested a little help from her friend WPBA pro Debbie “DJ Dubs” Schjodt to make this speech memorable. Debbie and Joanne put together a rap in place of the speech for Iris, which tore the roof down.

Val Finnie passed on ‘08 honors of being the most improved player to Yu-Ram Cha.

Shari Stauch and Vicki Paski presented this years WPBA Hall of Fame trophies in the Greatest Player category to Ewa Laurance and Loree Jon Hasson (previously Loree Jon Jones).

After the WPBA awards banquet, there was an Pro-Am event which featured former NFL and Miami Dolphin greats, including Mark Duper and Mark Clayton.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino hosted the Annual Awards Dinner and rolled out the red carpet for the players for the tournament as well.

Pics provided by the WPBA.

Visit the www.WPBA.com to learn more about WPBA.