On Saturday, April 18, Taylor Hansen went undefeated to win the opening stop on the 2015 North Star Ladies Pool Tour (NSLPT), in its second year as a WPBA-sanctioned regional tour. The $100-added event drew 16 entrants to The Ball Room in Portage, WI.
Hansen faced tour director June Maiers in one of the winners' side semifinals, as Kelly Smith and Katrina Lyman squared off in the other. Hansen advanced to the hot seat match 7-4 over Maiers, as Smith downed Lyman 7-3. Hansen claimed the hot seat with a shutout and waited for what turned out to be the return of Lyman.
On the loss side, Maiers picked up Beth Fondell, who'd gotten by Natasha Zasoba 7-5 and given up only a single rack to Kelly Nickl. Lyman drew Julie Fitzpatrick, who'd defeated Connie O'Heron 7-5 and shut out Maria Juana. Lyman and Fondell advanced to the quarterfinals by opposite means; Fondell in a shutout, and Lyman, double hill.
Lyman and Fondell came within a game of double hill at 7-5 before Lyman advance to take on Smith in the semifinals. A shutout there gave Lyman a shot a Hansen in the hot seat. Hansen completed her undefeated run with a 7-3 win over Lyman.
The next stop on the NSLPT, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, will be hosted by CR's Sports Bar in Coon Rapids, MN.
