Vols Tee Off Season with 5th Place Finish

September 05, 2017 | Women's Golf

Final Results

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- Senior Anna Newell paced the Volunteers in the two-day Ocean Course Invitational with a two-over 221.

"Anna had a good start to the season this week," head coach Judi Pavon said. "After an okay first round, she played the last 36 holes one-under-par."

The Florida native carded two rounds at or below par to finish the tournament in 14th place, marking Newell's best finish since she tied for 13th place at the 3M Augusta Invitational last spring.

As a team, Tennessee concluded the tournament in a three-way tie for fifth place (893, +17) with North Carolina and Ole Miss. UT posted 594 through two rounds of play on Day One.

"This was a good start to the season. We handled a tough golf course well and everybody contributed. I'm really happy with all of the par or better rounds this week from Micheala, Blakesly and Waverly," Pavon said.

Sophomore Micheala Williams led the Orange and White in the first two rounds with an even-par 146 before shooting 77 on Tuesday. She tied for 16th place in the tournament.

Blakesly Warren, a four-year senior, tied for 29th place (228, +9). She posted par in the first round.

Newcomers Waverly Whiston and Ariana Macioce tied for 37th place after shooting 229 (+10). Whiston, the No. 19-ranked player in the 2017 class, shot one-under in the final round while Macioce, a junior transfer, finished with a 74.

Freshman Mariah Smith capped the first tournament of her collegiate career in a tie for 51st place. She carded 233 (+14) over 54-holes.

"Our newcomers did a great job this week. Everyone had at least one good round and they all did a good job of fighting for every shot and being really competitive," Pavon added.

N.C. State turned in three rounds of par or better in the final day of competition to claim the team title with a score of 881 (+5). Florida State shot 884 (+8) to place second while Florida and Wake Forest tied for third (892, +16).

The tournament medalist, Jennifer Kupcho, hailed from Wake Forest and shot a 12-under 207. N.C. State's Laura Kowohl placed second while Aubree Jones (Mississippi State) and Conner Beth Ball (Ole Miss) tied for third.

Tennessee returns to Knoxville to host the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship on Monday, Sept. 18 through Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Cherokee Country Club.