Women's Golf Inks Two Top-100 Golfers for 2019

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The University of Tennessee women's golf coach Judi Pavon announced the signing of two players on Wednesday.

Coach Pavon continues to add top talent from in-state and around the country with the singing of two of the top-100 2019 golf recruits in the country according to Junior Golf Scoreboard. Shelby Liford (Knoxville, Tenn.) intends to enroll in the spring while Nicole Whiston (San Diego, Calif.) will join the Lady Vols in the fall of 2019.

Shelby Liford | Knoxville, Tenn | Halls High School

Welcome to #LadyVolNation @shelby_liford 🖋️#GBO #NSD18 🍊⛳️ pic.twitter.com/LxVK2cBlzK
— Tennessee Women's Golf (@Vol_WGolf) November 15, 2018

Ranked as the No. 80 golfer in the 2019 class according to Junior Golf Scoreboard
Tennessee All-District four year (2015-18), All-Region three years (2016-18) while helping her team to four-straight District Championships, a Regional Championships
Earned three bids to compete in the TSAA State Tournament where she finished in the top 10 twice
Accumulated over 15 top-5 finishes and 21 top-10 finishes in her junior golf career which include three top-10 finishes in AJGA tournaments

From Coach Pavon: "I'm excited that Shelby has chosen to be a part of the Tennessee family. She is an up and comer with a very solid game who will be an asset to our program. She is a long hitter and I look forward to working with her starting this spring. She is also a great student and leader and a lifelong Vol fan and will bring a lot of great energy to our team."

Nicole Whiston | San Diego, Calif. | La Jolla High School

Welcome to #LadyVolNation Nicole Whiston 🖋️#GBO #NSD18 🍊⛳️ pic.twitter.com/dOv9PTwyNE
— Tennessee Women's Golf (@Vol_WGolf) November 20, 2018

Ranked as the No. 8 golfer in the 2019 class according to Junior Golf Scoreboard and the No. 9 golfer in the 2019 class by Golfweek
Currently No. 316 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings
Earned AJGA All-American status in 2017 (Second Team) and 2018 (Honorable Mention)
Reached the round of 32 in the 2017 USGA Girls Junior while reaching the round of 64 in the 2016 USGA Girls Junior
In the last four years, she has 16 top-25 finishes in AJGA events including winning the AJGA Ping Heather Farr 2017, 2nd place at AJGA Ping Heather Farr 2018, 2nd place at AJGA Enagic Jr Championship and 3rd AJGA Swinging Skirts 2018

From Coach Pavon: "Nicole is one of the top players in the class of 2019 – ranked 9th in the class and 4th in California. She will make an immediate impact on our team and I would expect her to be one of the top freshmen in the SEC. She is an amazing student and will help us continue to reach a high level academically as well. She is Waverly's little sister so I'm excited to continue the tradition of great sister duos in our program. (Hannah and Emmie Pietila, AJ and Anna Newell)."

University of Tennessee Athletics

Players Mentioned

Anna Newell

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