RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. – The Vanderbilt women’s golf team stormed into the semifinals of match-play competition at the Lamkin Invitational by sweeping Texas Tech 5-0 Monday afternoon.
The Commodores, ranked sixth nationally by Golfstat, will face Sacramento State Tuesday, with a spot in the tournament finals up for grabs.
After a slow start during 18 holes of stroke play Monday morning, Greg Allen’s Commodores responded impressively when the competition moved to match play in the afternoon.
Sophomore Morgan Baxendale gave the Commodores an early 1-0 advantage with a resounding 6&5 victory over Texas Tech’s Amy Taylor. Junior Abbey Carlson, recently named to the Arnold Palmer Cup U.S. team, upped the Vanderbilt lead to 2-0 with a 3&2 decision over Louisa Brunt.
The Commodores sealed the team victory when freshman Auston Kim and sophomore Louise Yu registered come-from-behind 2&1 wins over Mami Yamamoto and Anna Dong, respectively.
Senior Courtney Zeng sealed the Vanderbilt sweep by overcoming a 2-hole deficit to earn a 2&1 victory over Sofia Garcia.
“It certainly wasn’t our best golf this morning but it was thankfully good enough to make it into the bracket,” Allen said. “This may be the toughest course we’ve seen in a while.
“I really am proud of how we bounced back this afternoon against Texas Tech. At some point, each of our girls trailed in her match but they kept battling and found a way to get a point,” Allen added.
The Vanderbilt-Sacramento State winner will advance to the match-play championships on Wednesday to face the San Diego State-California semifinal victor.
Lamkin Invitational Results
The Farms Golf Club, Rancho Santa Fe
First Round Scores
(Stroke play, top 8 teams advance to championship match play rounds)
5. Vanderbilt 313 (+25)
Second Round Scores (Match Play)
Vanderbilt 5 – Texas Tech 0
Morgan Baxendale (VU) def. Amy Taylor (TT), 6&5
Abbey Carlson (VU) def. Louisa Brunt (TT), 3&2
Auston Kim (VU) def. Mami Yamamoto (TT), 2&1
Louise Yu (VU) def. Anna Dong (TT), 2&1
Courtney Zeng (VU) def. Sofia Garcia (TT), 2&1
