UNK women’s golf team poised ahead of first NCAA championships appearance

KEARNEY, Neb. — The UNK women’s golf team is preparing to tee off at the NCAA championships for the first time in program history.

The Lopers qualified by finishing third at regionals and beating the school-record 54-hole score by 33 strokes. Head Coach Shawn Rodehorst credited his team’s mental toughness for the remarkable regionals rounds.

“Not letting one hole turn into four or five bad holes before we kind of figure it out after that," Rodehorst said. "We rebounded really quickly. Everybody saves for our five shots a day and it adds up pretty quick.”

18 teams qualified for nationals, which is played at Fox Run Golf Club in suburban St. Louis. The top eight teams after a 54-hole tournament advance to a match play bracket.

Senior Paige Lucero says team chemistry has them confident on the big stage.

“Just take it shot by shot. It’s a big moment, there’s going to be a lot of pressure and I think we just have to embrace the pressure and the nervousness and just take it shot by shot and see where it takes us,” Lucero said. “They’re my best friends, they’re my family and I just don’t want it to end.”

The Lopers are scheduled to tee off at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday.