Nov. 7, 2010

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Final Results

By Zachary Stipe, Media Relations Assistant

STANFORD, Calif. - Led by junior Nathalie Mansson's 13th-place performance, the 17th-ranked Tennessee Lady Vol golf team defeated six ranked opponents en route to an eighth-place finish at that ultra-competitive Pac-10/SEC Challenge on Sunday at the Stanford (Calif.) Golf Course.

During a final round that featured a two-hour suspension of play because of unplayable conditions and rain showers nearly all day, the Lady Vols fired an 18-over 302 to wrap up the inaugural edition of the tournament. Tennessee's final score of 291-293-302=886 (+34) put it just seven strokes behind fifth-place Auburn.

No. 5 UCLA cruised to the team title with an 856 (+4) total. No. 3 Alabama was runner-up (867), while No. 2 USC placed third (875).

Trojan Sophia Popov captured the individual crown by one stroke (6-under 207) at the par-71, 6,103-yard course.

The Lady Vols finished ahead of No. 4 California (890), No. 12 Arkansas (891), No. 10 Vanderbilt (897), No. 1 LSU (907), No. 24 Ole Miss (912) and No. 25 Florida (924).

The 21-team field features 13 Top 25 squads.

Mansson tied for 13th with a 72-72-73=217 (+4) total. The Stockholm, Sweden, native was even-par heading into her final hole, No. 6, on Sunday, but recorded a double bogey. Still, the two-time All-American had one of her most consistent tournaments of the year, making 39 pars over three days.

"All in all it was a good tournament for us," Lady Vol head coach Judi Pavon said. "We beat the Nos. 1, 4, 10 and 12 teams in the country, so I am happy about that. We had a terrific day going until we finished up the round and Hole 6 was a disaster for us. Nathalie had a good week for us, as did Kaitlyn (Rohrback) in her first tournament as part of the lineup."

The par-four No. 6 played as one of the most difficult holes on the course, with the field averaging at least a half-stroke above par each day.

Rohrback, a freshman, had a solid debut in Tennessee's top-five lineup. She led UT on day two and tied for 27th with a 75-71-77=223 (+10) total.

Sophomore Erica Popson had a Lady Vol-best three birdies on the final day and matched Rohrback in 27th with a 71-78-74=223 (+10) tally.

Monberg and freshman Chessey Thomas rounded out Tennessee's squad, as each tied for 54th. Monberg totaled 74-76-78=228 (+15), while Thomas carded 74-74-80=228 (+15).