University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown
Newell Breaks Two NCAA Records
October 27, 2015 | Women's Golf
BOULDER CITY, Nev. -- The 12-ranked Volunteers set a program-low score with their 54-hole 838 at the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown on the par 72, Boulder Creek Country Club course in Boulder Creek, Nev. #22 UNLV and #46 Vanderbilt tied for first place with totals of 831 (-33). No. 13 San Diego State finished in third place at 30-under par.
"We just didn't have the round we were hoping for as a team, but overall it was a good way to end the fall," stated Head Coach Judi Pavon upon conclusion of the tournament.
Although Tennessee didn't have the team finish the players and coaches were hoping for, placing sixth (-26), they have a lot to be proud of. The team's 54-hole score broke the previous program-low score of 849 set at the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championships. Additionally, sophomore Anna Newell, who led the Orange and White throughout the tournament, posted her second consecutive round of 65 to claim medalist honors.
"Anna had an amazing tournament. I just got an email from Golfweek that she set a new NCAA record which is unbelievable!," exclaimed Pavon. "She got off to a great start today and just kept playing aggressive and did a great job."
On Newell's route to claiming the individual title, she shattered two NCAA records--the 54-hole record for total strokes and the 54-hole record for relation to par--with an 18-under 198. She also broke or tied three Tennessee records--the 36-hole record, the 54-hole record and the lowest second round score.
Junior Emmie Pietila followed Newell in a five-way tie for 13th place. She shot even par in the third round to ended the tournament with a total score of 208 (-8).
"Emmie had a really good tournament. She actually woke up not feeling well but was tough and turned in a good score," added Pavon.
Both Hannah Pietila, who competed as an individual for Tennessee, and Lucia Polo tied for 37th place. The pair concluded the tournament at three-under par.
Freshman Shannon Brooks carded an even-par 72 in the final round, to finish the tournament with a 54-hole score of 220. Blakesly Warren posted three rounds of 74 and tied for 86th place.
With the final tournament of the fall in the books, Tennessee officially set five new program-low scores and carded 25 scores that tied or broke the program's top-10 records. Additionally, the Vols earned a 3.57 fall GPA, the second-highest GPA in program history and highest GPA among fall sports in 2015. All eight golfers maintained a 3.0 GPA or above and five players were named to the Dean's List. The team also maintained a perfect 100% Graduation Success Rate.
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/UTWomensGolf.
