High Point Completes First NCAA Regional Appearance
By High Point Athletics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The High Point University women's golf team competed in the program's first NCAA Regional, which concluded Wednesday afternoon after three days and 54 holes of play at the UNC Finley Golf Course.
The No. 9-seeded Panthers improved their score each round in a stacked Chapel Hill Regional — that had eight of 12 teams ranked in the Top 44 nationally — as they finished in ninth place. High Point's best team score came in the final round, shooting 9-over-par for the sixth-best third round score as
Anna Howerton's third straight round of 73 led the Panthers.
Head Coach Lyndsey Hunnell: "It was a surreal week for this team and for the trajectory of our program. To compete on the national stage and hold our own alongside some of the top teams in the country is something we'll continue to build on moving forward. I think this experience showed our players that we absolutely belong here, while also giving us a clear understanding of where we need to improve to compete at the highest level on these challenging regional courses. More than anything, this week gave our team confidence and momentum heading into next season. I already know this group is motivated for what's next, and I think having a number next to our name is a goal they're excited to chase."
HPU Top Finishers: Makayla Grubb (T32) — 75, 69, 75 (219) +9
Anna Howerton (T32) — 73, 73, 73 (219) +9
HPU Team Finish: 9 of 12 teams — 300, 290, 289 (879) +39
Panther Placement:
T32
Makayla Grubb +9 (75, 69, 75) 219
T32
Anna Howerton +9 (73, 73, 73) 219
T37
Anais Arafi +11 (76, 74, 71) 221
T40
Eva Lye +12 (78, 74, 70) 222
T55
Ella Perna +19 (76, 78, 75) 229
Howerton was steady all week in her first NCAA Regional, carding a 3-over-par 73 over all three rounds to finish T32. The junior was tied with a player from Texas and North Carolina for the most eagles (2) in the tournament. Howerton sunk an eagle on hole 15 in the first round from 100 yards out with a pitching wedge, while making another in the second round on hole 12 when she used a 3 wood from 250 yards out to make the putt. She made 26 pars and added six birdies to pair with two eagles. She was tied for fifth best on Par-3 holes, averaging 2.87 and was 2-under.
Grubb carded a pair of 75s with a 1-under-par 69 in the second round, which was the Panthers' first-ever under regional score, to move up 18 places in the leaderboard and finish T32 alongside her teammate. The freshman made four of her team-high eight birdies in round two as she made 31 pars. Grubb was tied for fifth best on Par-5 holes, averaging 4.56 and was 4-under.
Alike the team, Arafi improved her score each day with rounds of 76, 74 and 71. The sophomore who clinched the Panthers' first Big South Championship and NCAA Regional appearance capped the team's debut with its third-lowest score (71) to skyrocket up the leaderboard by 10 spots. Arafi sunk three of her five birdies in round three and carded a team-best 34 pars to finish T37.
Lye followed suit with Arafi and the team as the freshman shot lower each round and knocked off four strokes a day. Lye opened with a 78 and 74 before ending her first regional appearance with an even 70 on Wednesday to move up 12 spots in the leaderboard. She had three of her six birdies over the final 18 holes, while carding 33 pars over the regional to place T40. Lye was tied for eighth on Par-3 holes, averaging 2.93 and was 1-under on her attempts.
Perna completed her collegiate career, finishing T55 and making birdie on the first hole of her final round on Wednesday morning. The senior opened the regional with a 76, and then followed it with a 78 before carding a 75 in the third round. Perna made 31 pars and had five birdies.