Lantz Earns Top Spot in Rhode Island

By Bill Rosenberger

New England Women's Tour Player of the Year Stacey Lantz went undefeated o­n Saturday, December 4, 2004, at Rhode Island Billiards in North Providence, RI.  A small, but talented field grazed the nine-foot tables at the room, with Lantz and Jessica Cote coming out as front-runners.

Lantz advanced to the hot seat match against Cote with a 7-1 win over Melanie Belisano.  Cote and Lantz battled back and forth to reach hill-hill, and Lantz edged out the win 7-6 to advance to the finals.

Cote headed to the semifinals to play Belisano, who had ousted Ramona Robinson.  The two players kept the match close, but Cote pulled out the win to set up the rematch with Lantz in the finals.

Cote had to win two sets in the double-elimination finals, and early o­n, it looked like she'd at least have a shot in the second set.  With the score tight, Lantz turned up her game and finished off the match to earn a 7-5 victory.

Results:

1st Stacey Lantz

2nd Jessica Cote

3rd Melanie Belisano

4th Ramona Robinson

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