1st Round Eliminations at WPBA Masters in Mt. Pleasant, Mi

MT. PLEASANT, MI - The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is hosting the best female billiard players in the world this week as the Women's Professional Billiard Association WPBA Masters kicks off the 2011 Women's Pro Billiard Tour season.

16 players have now been eliminated, including: Jacqui Herrera, Scotland's Val Finnie, local Renee Havel, Cheryl Pritchard, top 16 seed Melissa Little (upset by fellow Colorado player Laura Smith); Tina Hess, Joanne Ashton, Morgan Steinman, Borana Andoni, Dawn Hopkins, Jessica Barnes, Melissa Rademakers, Connie O'Heron, Jana Montour, Erin McManus, and local favorite, WPBA Hall of Famer Vicki Paski of Grand Ledge, MI.

Winners bracket matches continue this evening followed by another one-loss round, where the next eight eliminations will take place. Full brackets are available at www.wpba.com.

Concurrent with the WPBA Masters is the Soaring Eagle Open, featuring amateur 8-Ball and 9-Ball tournaments in men and women's divisions, with over $10,000 in prize money. Visit www.soaringeagleopen.com for more information.