Oct. 9, 2011

TAR HEEL INVITE FINAL RESULTS

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Propelled by five solid Lady Vol efforts, the Tennessee women's golf team vaulted into a tie for sixth place on the final day of the UNC Tar Heel Invitational Sunday.

UT was one of four teams in the 18-team field to come in under par in the tournament’s final round, firing a 1-under 287 to wrap up the 54-hole tournament at the UNC Finley Golf Course. The Big Orange's three-day total of 870 (+6) is the team’s second-best mark of the season, behind the season-opening Cougar Classic performance (867).

“Today was a really good day for us,” head coach Judi Pavón said. “We didn’t have a really low round from anyone but it’s nice when all five players turn in good scores. We talked about having a good start and taking advantage of the birdie opportunities we would have late in the round and that’s exactly what they did.

Junior Erica Popson led the Orange and White for the third-consecutive round, carding a one-under 71 to lead the Lady Vols' move up the leaderboard in the final day.

Senior All-American Nathalie Mansson, sophomore Chessey Thomas and freshman AJ Newell each fired even 72s, while junior Sara Monberg wrapped up the day three over to round out the scoring for Tennessee.

“Erica had a good tournament,” Pavón said, “especially considering she was in a cast for the week before the tournament. Both Sara and AJ had good tournaments as well and both should head into the Mercedes with confidence. It was good to see Chessey and Nat shoot even today, especially Nat. She needed to see herself play well.”

Mansson, who was playing in her first tournament of the season after battling an injury, rebounded from a 3-over day one score and a 6-over round two performance to turn in an even 72 for Sunday’s round.

“I had my driver more in play than the two first days,” Mansson said, “and after a bad start I told myself to stay in it and then made some birdies coming in. I still have a lot to work on with my ball striking, but I had only played 18 [practice] holes before this tournament so I’m happy to be out competing again.”

Louisiana State, which also fired a one-under 287 in round three, took the team title with the three-day total of 856. The Tigers topped Alabama (860), Auburn (861) and host North Carolina (862) to finish atop the leaderboard.

Auburn's Marta Sanz captured medalist honors by one stroke with a 9-under 207 total. .

The Lady Vols now turn their attention to defending their home turf at the Mercedes-Benz SEC/Pac-12 Challenge, Oct. 21-23 in Knoxville. The competition will be held at Holston Hills Country Club where UT will look to defend its 2009 and 2010 titles.