UVA opens season with runner-up finish at Wolverine Invitational

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Virginia women’s golf team wrapped up play at Michigan’s Wolverine Invitational with a second-place finish to open its 2021 fall schedule. The Cavaliers finished at 11-over 863, including a final-round score of 5-over 289. Michigan won the event at its own University Course with a score of 1-under 851. The Cavaliers and Wolverines both turned in the best final-round scores for the 16-team field.

UVA was led in the season opener by sophomore Jennifer Cleary. She shot a team-best 1-under 70 on Tuesday to place fourth overall at 1-over 214. Her finish was her best multi-team event as a Cavalier and her 54-hole total was her lowest tournament score at UVA.

Freshman Amanda Sambach was one shot behind Cleary in sixth place during her collegiate debut. She posted a final-round result of 2-over 73. Graduate student Beth Lillie and junior Celeste Valinho tied for 14th place at 4-over 218. Lillie shot 71 during Tuesday’s play, her best round of the event. Senior Riley Smyth rounded out UVA’s scoring at 223 to place 40th overall.

Sophomore Rebecca Skoler, competing as an individual, was 33rd at 222. The tournament marked her UVA debut after she missed last season due to a wrist injury.

The Cavaliers return to action Oct. 4-5 when they compete at Northwestern’s Windy City Collegiate at Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette, Ill.