The third-ranked Stanford women’s golf team placed two players in the top 10 and finished third Tuesday in the Pac-12 Preview at Nanea Golf Club.
Freshman Albane Valenzuela captured third and senior Casey Danielson tied for seventh in the inaugural 54-hole event on the scenic and challenging par-73 course.
The Cardinal closed with a 5-over score of 297 to conclude at 13-over 889. Arizona fired a final round 7-under 279 to win at 3-over 879, while Arizona State posted a 5-under 297 to earn second at 5-over 881.
Stanford began the final round with a two-stroke advantage over both schools. Led by Danielson, Valenzuela and freshman Andrea Lee, the Cardinal stayed close for nine holes but couldn’t keep up with the torrid pace.
Playing in only her second college tournament, Valenzuela made four birdies and one bogey to tally a team-best 3-under 70. She toured the back nine in 3-under 33.
Danielson forged four birdies to secure her third consecutive top 20 showing of the season and second top 10.
Lee and senior Jisoo Keel shot 76’s to tie for 23rd. In two previous starts this month, Lee posted a win and share of second. Keel garnered her second top 30 finish.
Senior Quirine Eijkenboom shot 79 and wound up 64th.
Playing as individuals, junior Shannon Aubert (76) tied for 17th at 5-over 224, her top showing of the fall, while junior Calli Ringbsy shot a 72 to finish 46th, both career bests. Ringsby eagled the par-4 7th and par-5 13th and added three birdies.
Stanford concludes its fall season next Monday through Wednesday at the East Lake Cup in Atlanta, Georgia. The elite event features men’s and women’s semifinalists from last year’s NCAA Championship. The Cardinal, the national runner-up in 2016, will be joined by Washington, UCLA and Duke.
Played at historic East Lake Golf Club, home of the PGA Tour’s season-ending FedExCup Playoffs, the first round is medal play to determine an individual national champion and seeding for match play. The format shifts to match play Tuesday, with the finals and consolation finals set Wednesday.
Women’s tennis
Stanford recorded a pair of runner-up finishes on Tuesday afternoon at the ITA Northwest Regional Championships at Taube Family Tennis Stadium.
Freshman Emma Higuchi fell to California’s Karla Popovic 6-2, 6-2 in the singles final, ending her bid to become the seventh consecutive Stanford player to claim the ITA Northwest Regional crown.
Previous Cardinal winners include Taylor Davidson (2015), Carol Zhao (2014), Kristie Ahn (2013, 2010), Krista Hardebeck (2012) and Nicole Gibbs (2011). The loss capped an impressive tournament run for Higuchi, who won six matches to improve to 9-1 in the fall.
In the doubles final, sophomores Caroline Lampl and Kimberly Yee dropped a hard-fought 6-2, 6-7 (5), 10-8 decision to Popovic and Olivia Hauger.
The Cardinal failed to produce either a singles or doubles champion at the event for the first time since 2008.
By Stanford Athletics
By Stanford Athletics
By Stanford Athletics