The Duster Today

Media Credit: LCU Golf Lady Chaps proud of Arizona finish.

AVONDALE, AZ -Coming off a 2006-07 campaign that saw a season of firsts for Lubbock Christian University women's golf, expectations were high heading into 2007-08, and thus far, the Lady Chaps have not disappointed their fans.

A week after finishing a solid fifth at the Southern Nazarene Invitational, Lubbock Christian gave notice that the Lady Chaps are on the rise with an impressive second-place finish this week at the Grand Canyon Women's Fall Invitational, hosted by Grand Canyon University and played at the Coldwater Club.

After finishing the opening round, LCU was tied for fourth with California Baptist University, trailing defending NCAA Division II national champion Florida Southern College (291), Western New Mexico (303), and Southern Nazarene (304).

In round one, the Lady Chaps shot a +17 (305), posting three individual rounds in the 70s, and found themselves in contention. Sophomore Bailey Marquez was alone in 6th after an even par 72, while sophomore Darcey McRay was tied for 12th (75), junior Kelly Rainbolt was in 25th (78), junior Brittany Mercer was tied for 35th (80), and freshman Kiersten Pack was tied for 49th (82).

In round two, Lubbock Christian outdid itself, firing off a stellar 301 and was able to break away from California Baptist and leap over both Southern Nazarene and Western New Mexico to finish as the runner-up.

Individually, four Lady Chaps shot in the 70's on day two, paced by Mercer's 74, though her teammates were right there with her as Rainbolt shot a 75, and both Marquez and McRay shot 76. Pack rounded out Lubbock Christian with a day two 88.

Marquez finished tied for 5th overall, McRay finished tied for 11th, Rainbolt finished tied for 15th, Mercer finished tied for 22nd, and Pack finished tied for 62nd.

The opening round +17 (305), the second round +13 (301), and the +30 (606) total are all women's golf team records for Lubbock Christian, as is Bailey Marquez's day one score of 72, and her two-day total of 148.

The second-place finish is one of the most impressive accomplishments for head coach Trent Phillips' young program as it marks the strongest showing in so deep and talented a field, and it is likewise the first time the Lady Chaps have ever defeated the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm.

The Lubbock Christian ladies will conclude the fall portion of their schedule next week on October 1st and 2nd when they head north to play in the Oklahoma City Women's Classic, presented by Integris Heart Hospital, played at the Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and hosted by Oklahoma City University.

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