Saturday 12/09/00 1:30 PM  (Est)
TOP 5 SEEDS ADVANCE
by Kirstin Pires

The top five seeds advanced to the quarterfinal round of the winner's bracket Friday night in the Women's Professional Billiard Association National 9-Ball Championships at the Soaring Eagle Resort & Casino in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

Top-ranked and defending champion Allison Fisher struggled in her third-round match in the 64-player event, finally putting away Norway's Line Kjoersvik, 9-7. Second-ranked Karen Corr pounded Laura Smith, 9-3, while third-ranked Vivian Villarreal trounced Michigan native Vicki Paski, 9-2.

Helena Thornfeldt, ranked fourth, toppled close friend Monica Webb, 9-5, while fifth-seeded Gerda Hofstatter rallied from an 8-7 deficit to upend Aileen Pippen, 9-8.

The highest seed to fall in Friday's action was sixth-ranked Jennifer Chen, who dropped a heartbreaking 9-8 verdict to Jeanette Lee. Dawn Hopkins stomped newly crowned world 9-ball champion Julie Kelly of Ireland, 9-2, to stay alive in the winner's bracket. Ewa Laurance also remained unbeaten afterbeating Tiffany Nelson, 9-4.

Action resumes Saturday afternoon, with winner's bracket matches slated for Saturday evening.