UT women's golf team eyes MAC title

4/24/2009

After one of the best weeks in University of Toledo women's golf history, the Rockets are hoping to have an even better weekend.

UT heads into the Mid-American Conference championships in Nashport, Ohio, on an unprecedented high. The Rockets are coming off two straight tourney titles earlier this month, earning medal honors in both.

Their next task is to attempt to topple Kent State for the first time at Longaberger Golf Course 35 miles east of Columbus. The Golden Flashes have won all 10 MAC tourney titles. The 72-hole tourney runs today through Sunday.

"We have a lot of respect for them. They're a very highly rated team," sophomore Michelle Hui said. "We will go into it thinking we can win. If we have a good day like we've been having lately, Kent State is beatable."

Hui has been a big part of UT's recent success, tied with Erica Rivard for a team-best 78.6 stroke average. Hui followed freshman Georgina Hunt's victory at the Eastern Kentucky Spring Invitational on April 12 with a playoff victory at the Falcon Invitational on April 15. UT won the team titles as well.

"To have two victories in a week, and two individual titles, I might not have that ever happen again," coach Nicole Hollingsworth said. "It was a quite a week."

The Rockets have a young team and will rely on the experience of the lone senior, Boram Lee, and Rivard, a sophomore. Rivard had a 69 in the final round of last year's MAC championships, helping UT to a third-place finish.

"When we really are playing the top competition, Erica always comes out," Hollingsworth said. "That's why I like our chances in the MAC."

Some of the credit for the team's camaraderie stems from a diverse roster. The 10-player team originates from seven countries and four continents. Lee is from South Korea, Hunt from England, Hui from Australia, and Rivard from Canada.

"I personally love it," Hui said. "It helps us as a team having different cultures and different points of view. It helps having someone who has gone through what you have and knows where you would be struggling."

MAC TENNIS:

The men's tennis team earned the No. 2 seed for the tourney, held in Buffalo. The Rockets (17-10) are seeking their eighth tournament title but first since 1973. Senior Jared Miller leads UT at No. 1 singles.

The women's tennis team, the No. 5 seed with a 13-9 record, faces Bowling Green today at BGSU's Keefe Tennis Courts. Junior Martina Wodzinski plays No. 1 singles for the Rockets.

FUND-RAISER: The women's golf team is selling Rocket golf club head covers as a way to raise money to play in a tournament in Hawaii this fall. The head covers are available for $30 at several local golf clubs. For more information, contact Hollingsworth at 419-530-7761.

Contact Maureen Fulton at:

mfulton@theblade.com

or 419-724-6160.