It's been a difficult couple of months for the UPCL, as the affiliated Heart of the Game Speed Pool Challenge was cancelled after just seven days of play. The league moves on, bigger than expected with a 42-team, 210-player competition this season. Qualifying is expected to need 45 to 47 days to finish ahead of the biggest Tournament in league history. The day-off format from last season for Qualifiers remains in place, so the first two days will be all 7-ball action. Without further delay, we lead off with...
Group one, headed by Central Warriors veteran Noelle, who plays with the blue cue. Noelle needed 13 shots and took one error to complete the rack, showing a little rust as expected. Swordpoint Blades rookie Anton will go next with the red cue. Anton had better fortune, getting a ball on the break and finishing with a 3-7 combination for 4 shots and no errors. Apex Wonders sophomore Blair draws in next for a turn with the purple cue. Blair made a pair on the break and took an error, then struggled a bit to end at 10 shots. Diamond Gems veteran Salmo debuts the green cue in the next game. Salmo had a double-error that ruined his performance, which ended at 14 shots. The group ends with Capital City Sharpshooters sophomore Kelsea using the purple cue. Kelsea was creative but still needed 11 shots with no errors to finish the effort.
The second group gets going with Archtown Arrows veteran Hoppy bringing the silver cue into action. Hoppy, like many others, didn't get great angles and needed 13 shots with no errors to finish. Stonebridge Wolves veteran Dewey goes seventh today, using the blue cue. Dewey had an early error, but it helped him stay on track to end with 9 shots. Maplewood Lumberjacks captain Diddley is next, using the purple cue. Diddley kept it clean with no errors, but still needed 11 shots to finish. Another captain, the Terrace City Knights' Kiwi, is up with the blue cue. Kiwi needed 11 shots, but she also took two errors to ruin a good start. The purple cue is back as Stonebridge Wolves captain Hershey finishes this set. Hershey had a good start, but he took an error and skidded to 11 shots at the end.
Group three leads off with Atlantic Pirates newcomer Graham using the purple cue. Graham had a good start, but a couple misses put him at 11 shots and no errors. Pronger Tridents captain Precious will try her hand with the blue cue next. Precious had some fortunate bounces to end at 9 shots and no errors. Queens Flames veteran Briana brings the red cue back for her season debut. Briana had a good start, then suffered two errors to end on 12 shots. Terrace City Knights veteran Oreo will also use the red cue. Oreo followed the established pattern, making a couple of good plays only to take an error and end up at 11 shots. Pacific Volcanoes veteran Smokey ends the group using the green cue. Smokey cashed in a deflection off the 2 to make the 3-6 combination at the bottom right, ending with 6 shots and no errors.
Enterprise Independents rookie Scotty makes his career debut with the silver cue. Scotty held on after an early error, finishing at 10 shots. The first appearance for a Phoenix Firebird is the captain Neopolitan shooting with the blue cue in today's 17th game. Neopolitan avoided errors, but a tough distribution forced her into 12 shots. The Graycliff Aces are immediately welcomed to the show with rookie Phoebe shooting with the blue cue as well. Phoebe ended with 12 shots and two errors after a rough performance. Todavía Stills newcomer Juno uses the purple cue next. Juno was the first to go perfect this season, sending the 7 to the top right for 0 shots and zero errors. Phoenix Firebirds veteran Twinkie III wraps up the group with the blue cue. Twinkie III didn't make a good first impression for her new team, needing 13 shots and no errors to finish.
The fifth group begins as Southridge Defenders returnee Caitlin uses the green cue. Caitlin struggled from the start and took 16 shots with one error in the worst game so far. Puff II of the Harrison Specters is up next with the silver cue. Puff II couldn't make the key shots, struggling to 14 shots and one error after illegally potting the 7 early. The silver cue stays up for today's 23rd game, featuring the Eastside Sharks' Maison. With a pair on the break, Maison remained steady and finished in 8 shots with one error. Todavía Stills captain Easter brings back to the blue cue in her season debut. Easter scratched on the break but settled down for 10 shots and one error in the appearance. Golden Pilots captain Valencia rounds out the batch, also using the blue cue. Valencia struggled initially with one error, but salvaged a decent 11 shots.
Group six starts with Whitewater Shores captain Shaggy shooting with the red cue. Shaggy started well, but two errors pushed her up to a poor 13 shots. The Commerce Tradewinds' Solaris is next to play, using the green cue. Solaris got it right from the start with 0 shots and zero errors, a bounce sending the 7 to the top right on the break. The Apex Wonders' Cowzart follows that with the red cue. Cowzart had a solid start, but a slow finish put him at 11 shots and no errors. The Rookie Alliance gets its first competitor aboard as Marin uses the red cue. Marin delivered 0 shots and zero errors as the 6 went to the top right and the 7 charged to the top left. At the back of the group, Westside Rockers captain Misty shoots with the green cue. Misty couldn't keep the cue ball on the table, adding three errors in 14 shots.
The seventh set opens with Waluigi of the Web City Spiders keeping the green cue active. Waluigi played smart, limiting the damage to one error in 11 shots. The green is active again as Oceanside Waves star Patches makes her season debut. Patches faltered with 14 shots and one error, wasting a good start with a sloppy finish. Everton Eagles newcomer Maggie goes 33rd today, playing with the blue cue. Maggie was solid in this game, needing 9 shots with no errors to wipe the table. Victoria Spurs star Yekaterina draws in next with the purple cue. Yekaterina made a pair on the break and played careful for 9 shots and no errors. Westside Rockers star Snowball uses the silver cue to end this batch. Snowball made two on the break and finished in 5 shots with no errors in a crisp outing.
The final group kicks off with Stephanie's Midland Predators debut, using the blue cue. Stephanie made a pair on the break and walked a tightrope to 9 shots with no errors. Lighton Prestige star Citrus goes 37th today, using the purple cue. Citrus had no problems in her game, taking 6 shots with no errors. Maplewood Lumberjacks rookie Tenille T. is next, using the green cue. Tenille T. got the right collision on the break, with the 7 just making it to the bottom right for 0 shots and zero errors. Boston Swifts captain Sweetheart will take up the green cue next. Sweetheart had a solid performance throughout in 8 shots with no errors. Finally, Pearl Surfers veteran Boots is up with the purple cue to end Day 1. Boots faded late to 11 shots with one error.
The UPCL remains committed to playing the Tournament XII schedule, but for the first time in many years, it's not guaranteed to be completed. The early games of qualifying will be critical to evaluate where the league and its players are at for the remainder of the year.
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