Dalton State, (+82, 934) battled tough conditions from the overnight storm, but fought back to pass Carson-Newman and finish fifth in the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate on the HIghlands Course at Sevierville Golf Club on Tuesday. Two-day leader Jacksonville State, (+50, 902), distanced themselves from the field on the final day to take the victory.
Marshall, (+61, 913), held on for second, while host Tennessee Tech, (+69, 921), closed the gap, but came away third. Belmont, (+80, 932), claimed fourth, narrowly edging the fifth place Lady Roadrunners.
Sophomore All-American Tia Teiniketo once again paced the Lady Birds, firing a (+3, 74) to climb into the Top-10 in ninth. Fellow All-American Isabel Rijos, (+5, 76), claimed the 16th spot with four other competitors.
All-American Heather Nail carded her best score of the tournament with a (+4, 75) and was rewarded with a Top-25 finish in 22nd. The fourth All-American in the lineup for Dalton State, Caroline Griffin, finished tied for 35th after a final round (82). Redshirt sophomore Haejin Choe matched Griffin's (82) to finish alone in 46th.
It will be a short week for #2 Dalton State as they hit the tee box again March 26 and 27 in the Cumberland Phoenix Invitational at Old Hickory Country Club in Old Hickory, Tenn.