Micheala Williams Clinches Third Top-10 Finish of Spring at Hawkeye El Tigre Invitational

Saturday, March 23

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

All Day

University of Tennessee

Hawkeye El Tigre Invitational

Micheala Williams Clinches Third Top-10 Finish of Spring at Hawkeye El Tigre Invitational

March 23, 2019 | Women's Golf

Williams joined by Mikayla Bardwell and Ariana Macioce in the top 20 on the individual leaderboard

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – University of Tennessee women's golf team finished sixth at the Hawkeye El Tigre Invitational.

Junior Micheala Williams clinched her third top-10 finish of the spring on Sunday with a team-low 72 (E). The Athens, Ala. native placed eighth in the tournament, carding a 54-hole score of 219 (+3).

Williams was one of three Lady Vols to finish in the top 20 on the individual leaderboard, marking the third time this spring they have had three or more players place in top 20 in the same event.

Tennessee had a quick start to the round as at the turn the team was 3-under-par and had the lowest round on the course. Sophomore Waverly Whiston and freshman Mikayla Bardwell were both under par through nine holes as the Lady Vols moved up into second at the turn. They remained in contention for second for much of the back nine before finishing in sixth.

Bardwell, who sat inside of the top 20 for nearly the entire tournament, completed her sixth top-20 finish of the season on Saturday, tying for 19th in the event. She tied for fifth in the field with 38 pars in the event.

Joining her at 8-over for the tournament and tied for 19th was senior Ariana Macioce. Macioce carded the second lowest round for the team today at 3-over. The Phoenix, Ariz. native was bogey free from holes No. 3 to 15 with two birdies during the stretch.

With the top-20 finish in Puerto Vallarta, Macioce has now placed in the top 20 in the last seven events for the Lady Vols. The streak dates back to early October when she tied for 10th at the Starmount Classic.

In total, the Lady Vols shaved 12 strokes off of their second round score on Saturday. For the tournament, Tennessee finished with a three-round score of 897 (+33).

Coach's Take
On the final round of play:
"We had a really good round going today and stumbled in the last three holes. We just have to get a little tougher mentally to finish off our rounds." – Coach Judi Pavon

On Micheala Williams play heading into the end of the year:
"Micheala Williams played really solid this week. She is really close to being at the top of her game and is looking forward to Clemson and the SEC on courses she has played for two years." – Coach Judi Pavon

On Ariana Macioce's seventh consecutive top-20 finish:
"Ari has really stepped up this season and has played really consistent. It's been great to be able to count on her week-to-week." – Coach Judi Pavon

On Mikayla Bardwell's form heading into the end of the season:
"Mikayla is playing really well and just had a hiccup out there today on No. 16, but had a solid tournament and is coming back into form just in time for post season." – Coach Judi Pavon

Final Scores:
Team

1	Arizona	-10 (854)
2	Fresno State	+26 (890)
3	Kennesaw State	+26 (890)
4	Chattanooga	+30 (894)
5	Idaho	+31 (895)
6	Tennessee	+33 (897)
7	BYU	+38 (902)
8	Grand Canyon	+40 (904)
9	Colorado State	+43 (907)
10	Iowa	+47 (911)
11	Troy	+52 (916)
12	UMKC	+62 (926)

Tennessee Team

Micheala Williams	8	219 (+3)
Mikayla Bardwell	T19	224 (+8)
Ariana Macioce	T19	224 (+8)
Mariah Smith	T51	234 (+18)
Waverly Whiston	T54	236 (+20)

Up Next
Tennessee is off for two weeks before traveling to Sunset, S.C. for the Clemson Invitational, the final event before postseason play. The event begins on April 7 with the final round of play on April 9.