UVA Advances to NCAA Championships with Fourth-Place Finish at Auburn Regional
Auburn, Ala. – The No. 17 Virginia women’s golf team punched its ticket to the NCAA Championships thanks to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Auburn Regional site. The Cavaliers shot 6-over 294 during Wednesday’s final round for a three-day total of 9-over 873. No. 6 Vanderbilt won the 18-team regional at 4-under 860.
The top six teams from four regional championship fill the 24 spots that comprise the field for the national championship tournament. Joining UVA in the NCAA Championship field from the Auburn Regional are No. 6 Vanderbilt (-4/860), No. 11 Florida State (-1/863), No. 3 Duke (+4/868), No. 13 Auburn (+10/874) and No. 42 Tennessee (+12/876).
The NCAA Championships are scheduled for May 17-22 at The Blessings Golf Course in Fayetteville, Ark. Virginia is making its 11th appearance at the NCAA Championship in the 16-year history of the program.
Senior Anna Redding (Concord, N.C.) led the Cavaliers during the final round, shooting 4-under 68. After struggling during Tuesday’s round at the Saugahatchee Country Club with a score of 4-over 76, Redding opened her round with a birdie, and collected five more during the day to move up to eighth-place overall. She finished the tournament at 1-under 215.
Sophomore Beth Lillie (Fullerton, Calif.), who shot 68 during the second round, posted a final round score of 4-over 76 and finished in 23rd place at 4-over 220. Senior Katharine Patrick (Houston, Texas) was one shot behind her in 28th place. She shot 75 on Wednesday along with classmate Morgan Gonzales (Chandler, Ariz.). Gonzales ended in 41st place while freshman Riley Smyth (Cary, N.C.) was 51st at 225. She carded a final round score of 77.
“Advancing was a true team effort,” said UVA head coach Ria Scott. “Each player had some highlights to their week that truly helped us get through this regional. We have an incredibly motivated lineup right now that wants to make the most of their final event of the season.”
NCAA Regional
Saugahatchee Country Club
Opelika, Ala.
Par-72, 6,371 yards
Final Results
Team Results
1. Vanderbilt 287-293-280-860
2. Florida State 291-289-283-863
3. Duke 290-285-291-868
4. Virginia 296-283-294-873
5. Auburn 299-290-285-874
6. Tennessee 294-295-287-876
The top six teams advance to NCAA Championships
7. Maryland 294-297-288-879
8. East Carolina 291-295-295-881
9. Furman 299-294-293-886
10. Alabama 300-303-292-895
11. Houston 306-293-299-898
12. California 304-300-296-900
13. Clemson 307-298-299-904
14. Kennesaw State 308-302-295-905
15. Denver 304-304-301-909
16. South Alabama 310-300-300-910
17. Murray State 312-302-306-916
18. Albany 309-304-304-917
Individual Leaders
1. Auston Kim, Vanderbilt 70-70-70-210
2. Linette Holmslykke, Murray State 75-65-71-211
Virginia Results
8. Anna Redding 71-76-68-215
23. Beth Lillie 76-68-76-220
28. Katharine Patrick 75-71-75-221
41. Morgan Gonzales 74-74-75-223
51. Riley Smyth 78-70-77-225