University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
NCAA Regional
Williams Leads Vols in RD 1 of Athens Regional
May 08, 2017 | Women's Golf
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Freshman Micheala Williams led the Tennessee Volunteers on the first day of the NCAA Athens Regional at the University of Georgia Golf Course with an even-par round. As a team, the Vols carded 297 (+9) on the 6,344-yard course to finish in sixth place on Monday.
Team Scores
- 1. Michigan State: 284 (-4)
- 2. #3 Alabama: 289 (+1)
- T3. #8 Georgia: 293 (+5)
- T3. #11 Northwestern: 293 (+5)
Player Scores
- 1. #8 Jennifer Kupcho (Wake Forest): 68 (-4)
- T2. #27 Alice Hewson (Clemson): 69 (-3)
- T2. #65 Sarah Burnham (Michigan State): 69 (-3)
- T2. #13 Lauren Stephenson (Alabama): 69 (-3)
Tennessee Scores
- Team (Sixth Place): 297 (+9)
- T11. Micheala Williams: 72 (E)
- T16. Blakesly Warren: 73 (+1)
- T38. Anna Newell: 76 (+4)
- T38. Lucia Polo: 76 (+4)
- T85. Hannah Pietila: 82 (+10)
"The first four holes out here are really tough," said Head Coach Judi Pavon. "We started really early this morning so it was cold and there was dew on the ground so it made the course even longer, but we knew that we were going to make some bogeys on the first few holes and that we had to stay patient. The girls played really well once we got through No. 4. They really buckled down and made some birdies where we really needed to."
After carding multiple bogeys and just one birdie on the first four holes, Tennessee went on to card 13 birdies throughout the remainder of the round.
"Micheala has really stepped up these last few weeks and is playing really well," said Pavon. "She made a lot of birdies today. She did hit some bad shots but she made up for it by putting really well and taking advantage of her birdie opportunities."
Williams' even-par performance tied her for 11th place entering Day Two. Her low score was highlighted by five birdies, including three on her last six holes.
"Even par was clutch for us and a great way for her to start the tournament," added Pavon.
Junior Blakesly Warren, who leads the field in pars (15) after Round One, shot one-over to finish the day tied for 16th place.
Rounding out scoring for the Big Orange, senior Lucia Polo and junior Anna Newell carded dual scores of 76 (+4). The pair ended the day tied for 38th place.
Michigan native Hannah Pietila shot a 10-over-par 82 to tie for 85th place.
Michigan State leads the field with a four-under 284 while Alabama, the 3rd-ranked team in the country, sits in second place with a score of 289 (+1). No. 11 Northwestern and No. 8 Georgia are tied for third place at five-over 293.
Tuesday Tee Times
- 8:27 a.m. ET -- Hannah Pietila
- 8:36 a.m. ET -- Lucia Polo
- 8:45 a.m. ET -- Anna Newell
- 8:54 a.m. ET -- Blakesly Warren
- 9:03 a.m. ET -- Micheala Williams
Looking Ahead
- From each of the four regionals, the low six teams and the low three individuals not on those teams (for a total of 24 teams and 12 individuals) will advance to the NCAA National Championships on May 19-24, hosted by Northern Illinois University at Rich Harvest Farms, in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee women's golf team, visit UTSports.com/w-golf, follow @Vol_WGolf on Twitter and like the Vols at Facebook.com/VolWomensGolf.
