Results
    
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – University of South Alabama women's golfer Julie Hovland finished tied for third at the Sun Belt Conference Championship April 18-20 at LPGA International's Hills Course.

Hovland (70-70) shot a 4-under par 140 in two rounds at the SBC Championship after the final round of play was cancelled after the course was deemed unplayable. South Alabama finished fourth with a two-round team total of 597. Coastal Carolina won the championship with a 14-under par team total of 562.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Event (Host): Sun Belt Conference Championship
Dates: April 18-20
Format: 54 holes (36/18)
Course: LPGA International Hills Course
Yardage:  6,050
Par:  72

 TEAM SCORES
1) Coastal Carolina, 284-278—562 (-14);  2) Texas State, 279-291—570 (-6);  3) Georgia Southern, 292-297—589 (+13);  4) South Alabama, 295-302—597 (+21);  5) Troy, 301-297—598 (+22);  6) Arkansas State, 297-302—599 (+23);  7) Little Rock, 304-299—603 (+27);  8) ULM, 302-302—604 (+28);  9) Appalachian State, 303-302—605 (+29);  10) Georgia State, 315-293—608 (+32);  11) UT Arlington, 319-303—622 (+46)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
1) Sophia Carlsen, CCU, 69-68—137 (-7);  2) Nicole Abelar, CCU, 73-66—139 (-5);  T3) Julie Hovland, USA, 70-70—140 (-4);  T3) Noramol Nuchsila, TXST, 69-71—140 (-4);  5) Sasikarn Somboonsup, TXST, 69-72—141 (-3)

SOUTH ALABAMA SCORES
T3) Julie Hovland, 70-70—140 (-4);  T10) Carlota Garcia, 71-74—145 (+1);  T25) Siti Shaari, 73-77—150 (+6);  54) Caroline Berge, 81-84—165 (+21);  55) Nele Mattner, 85-81—166 (+22)

TEE SHOTS
- Hovland earned top-five finishes in her final four events of the regular season – UNF Collegiate (2nd place), Bama Beach Bash (T-4th), GSU Invitational (4th) and Sun Belt Conference Championship (T-3rd).
- Garcia shot a 1-under par 71 in the opening round, which marked a career low. Her two-round total of 145 marked a new career low for two rounds.
- Garcia finished tied for 10th, which marked her best career finish at USA.
- Hovland ranked tied for third in the field for par-five scoring average (4.63) at 3-under par. She played par threes at even par for the tournament.
- Garcia ranked tied for third among the field in par-three scoring (2.88) at 1-under par. 
- Hovland ranked tied for fifth in the championship in birdies with eight in two rounds.

QUOTES
Head Coach Matt Luther
- On the tournament conditions:
"Weather was definitely an issue, but it kept the course soft so it was scoreable if you did what you were supposed to do and we saw plenty of that."

- On the difference between first and second rounds:
"It's just kind of letting a difficult couple of days wear you down. And our student-athletes who didn't do that had good finishes."

- On Carlota Garcia's play at the championship:
"She hit it good and just kind of managed everything well. She didn't do anything brilliantly, but kind of grinded out a round. She is a competitor and did well with adverse conditions, and just hung around."

- On moving forward:
"I think Julie (Hovland) should be an at-large bid to (NCAA) regionals individually. We will not get an at-large bid, but Julie should and we will find that out next Wednesday (April 28). That would be great for her; she has had a great year and deserves to keep moving."

- On what he takes from the season:
"We have a lot of upside. Julie and Siti (Shaari) are coming back, Carlota's growing up and we have a good freshman class coming in here next year. I'm excited about the future. For us to not play great and still finish fourth in the Sun Belt (Conference) is pretty good. We're definitely moving in the right direction in the big picture."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
 
Join the Chip In Club, the women's golf specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Chip In Club go directly to support the South Alabama women's golf program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/chipinclub.