It was a disappointing day in the Chattanooga Mocs women’s golf homelands Wednesday. Juniors Dorota Zalewska and Esme Hamilton both fell shy of the NCAA Tournament cutline to advance to the finals in Scottsdale, Ariz., in nine days.
Despite the near miss in Franklin and tough few days in Albuquerque, there’s a lot of positives to bring home to Chattanooga.
“I think it says a lot about our program,” Coach Colette Murray began. “What we’re trying to do…what we’re trying to achieve along with the development of our players.
Dori’s come so far in four years, and we’re delighted she’s coming back for her COVID year. It shows the growth our players make from when they get here to their junior and senior seasons.
“It says a lot about what we’re doing and accomplishing.”
Assistant Coach Matt Zedrick echoed that and shared how much this experience meant for Hamilton in Albuquerque.
“Even though Esme didn’t play as well as we hoped, it was an incredible experience for her,” he shared via text. “What a great way for her to end her career as a Moc going almost straight from the graduation stage to the course.
“It was a special week for her.”
Hamilton completed her three days with a 3-over 75 Wednesday. It gave her a 3-day total of 229, tying for 51st. It was a tough regional to advance from with the advancing indys being Florida’s Marina Escobar Domingo, who tied for third (-3) and Sam Houston’s Viera Permata Rosada who tied for sixth at E.
Zalewska tied for 21st with her final card 73 providing the program’s low postseason total of 219 (+3). It was also a tough place to move forward from led by UTSA’s Camryn Cameon (T4, -5) and Augusta's Natalia Yoko (T9, -3) earning spots out west.
The season is now complete. Summer updates to come for the Mocs who compete before returning to campus in August.