On a blazing August Saturday, Atomic Age Modern in Mesa became the coolest spot in town. With mid-century décor on one side and rows of well-tuned machines on the other, the shop welcomed thirty-two players for the latest Belles & Chimes Phoenix tournament. These events are more than competitions; they’re where friendships, rivalries, and memories get built one multiball at a time.
Cara’s masterclass
The headline belonged to Cara Eisinger. From the opening round, she played like a woman possessed—first place in five of six rounds, and second in the only one she didn’t win. That kind of consistency is rare in group matchplay, where one bad tilt or unlucky drain can derail even top players. Cara’s run showed the kind of focus that comes from experience: three years into her competitive career, she’s already earned a reputation as someone you don’t want to see in your group.
Rivals in the room
Not all the drama was on the scoresheets. Tracy Lindbergh, the event organizer and Arizona’s strongest-ranked woman, presided over the tournament with her usual mix of calm authority and competitive fire. Even without a direct showdown, her long-standing rivalry with Olivia Helm was part of the backdrop. Their career head-to-head record is practically a coin flip, and Olivia’s 4th place finish here ensures the saga rolls on.
Dolly Parton, unlikely queenmaker
One machine in particular became a surprise battleground: Bally’s Dolly Parton from 1978. In a lineup stacked with modern Sterns like Foo Fighters, Godzilla, and even the brand-new John Wick, it was Dolly’s pastel playfield and old-school drop targets that shaped the day. The game came up in three different rounds, demanding accuracy over code knowledge. Teresa Clement and Christy Kohtz both had memorable stints on it, and even Cara had to prove herself on the classic. For many players, Dolly was the unexpected test that separated those ready to adapt from those hoping to out-mode a modern.
Spotlight on The Getaway
If Cara’s consistency was the story, Kathy Lovato gave us the headline twist. In Round 6, the group drew Williams’ The Getaway: High Speed II—a 1992 classic that turns pinball into a red-line race. All eyes were on Cara and Terri Boyd, the top two players in the standings. Instead, it was Kathy, sitting 12th overall, who shifted into gear and left them in her rearview mirror. It was the upset of the tournament, the kind of moment that makes players grin even when they lose.
Machines that mattered
The diversity of the lineup made this a true test of all-around skill. Paragon (1979) forced players to survive its brutal wide-body layout, where a missed shot meant watching the ball rocket into outlanes. Cactus Canyon Remake balanced nostalgia with new polish, while Black Knight: Sword of Rage tested players with its chaotic upper playfield. Foo Fighters and Godzilla offered the deep rule sets modern players love, while Stars and Strikes and Spares reminded everyone what simple, fast play feels like. From the newest Sterns to vintage Ballys, the tournament was a tour through pinball’s history, and every round felt different because of it.
Final results
When the flippers went quiet, the standings reflected both dominance and grit:
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1st – Cara Eisinger (Phoenix, AZ): Cara’s win was never really in doubt. With five first-place finishes in qualifying and a second-place as her “worst” round, she proved herself untouchable on both classics and moderns. This victory adds to her growing reputation and marks her as one of Arizona’s brightest rising players.
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2nd – Terri Boyd (Phoenix, AZ): Terri kept Cara honest all day long, putting up strong scores across the board and pushing deep into finals. With nearly a decade of competitive play behind her, her consistency and composure showed why she remains a regular fixture near the top of Arizona leaderboards.
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3rd – Gabrielle Craft: Gabrielle quietly pieced together one of the tournament’s steadiest performances. Though not as flashy as Cara’s streak or Kathy’s upset, her ability to adapt across twenty-three different games paid off in a well-earned podium finish.
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4th – Olivia Helm (Chandler, AZ): Olivia once again found herself in the thick of things, adding another top-four to her resume. Her long-standing rivalry with Tracy Lindbergh loomed over the event, and her strong finish reinforced why she’s one of Arizona’s most respected and feared competitors.
Women’s pinball on the global stage
Belles & Chimes is part of a growing women’s movement in competitive pinball, linking local events like this one in Mesa to a worldwide network. To put it in perspective, here are the current IFPA Women’s Top 10:
| Rank | Player | Location | Overall Rank | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leslie Ruckman | Seattle, WA, USA | 127 | 925.10 | |
| 2 | Kaylee Campbell | Charlotte, NC, USA | 142 | 866.62 | |
| 3 | Keri Wing | St. Louis, MO, USA | 170 | 773.40 | |
| 4 | Jane Verwys | Chicago, IL, USA | 189 | 742.95 | |
| 5 | Emily Reilhan | Port Moody, BC, Canada | 243 | 612.64 | |
| 6 | Ashley Weaver | Renton, WA, USA | 248 | 598.56 | |
| 7 | Stephanie Traub | Washington, DC, USA | 263 | 565.32 | |
| 8 | Jackie Olson | San Francisco, CA, USA | 277 | 553.87 | |
| 9 | Kassidy Milanowski | Appleton, WI, USA | 280 | 553.35 | |
| 10 | Sara Little | Vancouver, BC, Canada | 304 | 525.32 |
Wrapping it up
By the end of the night, it was Cara Eisinger standing tall, but the real joy of the event came from the way the stories layered together. Dolly Parton reminded everyone that 70s classics still have teeth, Kathy Lovato’s win on The Getaway gave us the upset of the day, and Tracy and Olivia’s rivalry continued to pulse at the heart of Arizona women’s pinball.
And none of it would have happened without Atomic Age Modern opening its doors. The shop’s blend of vintage décor and carefully maintained machines created the perfect atmosphere for competition — a place where the past and present of pinball sit comfortably side by side. For players, it was more than a tournament; it was a reminder of why this community keeps showing up, week after week, game after game.