Michigan
NCAA Ann Arbor Regional
Michigan Punches Ticket to Second Straight NCAA Finals Behind Lau, Borja
5/11/2022 3:53:00 PM | Women's Golf
» A final-round 287 helped No. 18 Michigan to an 880 total and tie for third place at the NCAA Ann Arbor Regional, advancing the Wolverines to the NCAA Finals.
» The Wolverines advance to their second straight NCAA Finals and fifth in program history.
» Three Wolverines finished among the top 25, led by Ashley Lau's tie for fifth, while Hailey Borja tied for ninth and Mikaela Schulz tied for 23rd (223).
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Course: U-M Golf Course (Par 71, 6,265 yards)
Tournament: NCAA Ann Arbor Regional
U-M Team Standing: Tie-3rd Place of 12 Teams (293-300-287/880)
Top U-M Individual: Ashley Lau, tie-5th (73-73-69/215, +2)
Next U-M Event: Fri-Wed., May 20-25 -- at NCAA Finals (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
• Results (PDF) | Photo Gallery
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Led by the duo of senior Ashley Lau and junior Hailey Borja, the 18th-ranked University of Michigan women's golf team posted a final-round 287 (+3) to tie for third place at the NCAA Ann Arbor Regional on Wednesday (May 11) at U-M Golf Course. With their three-day total of 880 (293-300-287), the Wolverines advance to make their second consecutive NCAA Finals appearance.
The Wolverines are joined in Scottsdale, Ariz., by regional champion No. 5 San Jose State (862), No. 8 Virginia (865) and No. 20 Arkansas (880), making their way to the Grayhawk Golf Club. Individually, Virginia Tech's Emily Mahar (2nd; 72-71-69/212, -1) and Old Dominion's Jana Melichova (T3rd; 69-74-70/213, E) are headed to Arizona as individuals.
With the top four teams advancing to the NCAA Finals, the Wolverines began the final round with a five shot cushion for one of the four coveted Finals spots. Recording five front-nine birdies, U-M began steady, making the turn even and holding its advantage over a rallying Virginia Tech, which started its day three-under.
As the Hokies continued to press, they drew themselves within two shots of the Wolverines before three straight birdies from junior Mikaela Schulz helped U-M regain its advantage. As the pressure began to mount, birdies from Borja on Nos. 15 and 17, as well as another birdie on 17 from Lau, continued to help relieve it and counter any push from Virginia Tech.
With the Hokies in the clubhouse after a 279 (-5), a highlight-reel up-and-down par by Borja sealed U-M's top-four finish giving the Wolverines a three-shot cushion as cards continued to come in. In the end, it was U-M's slow and steady pace on the back-nine that yielded 24 pars, six birdies and six bogeys to close even and put a 287 on the board for an 880 regional total.
Individually, the Wolverines placed three among to the top 25 as Big Ten Golf of the Year Lau posted her sixth top-five finish of the season, tying for fifth at 215 (73-73-69). Right behind was Borja with her fifth top-10 after she tied for ninth at 216 (73-72-71). Schulz tied for 23rd at 223 (74-76-73).
In the national finals at the Grayhawk Golf Club, the 24 advancing regional teams will play 54-holes before the field will be cut to the top 15 teams and top nine individuals (from non-qualifying teams) for the final round. From there, the 72-hole individual national champion will be crowned -- as well as the top eight teams advancing to match play to compete for a national title.
The Wolverines will make their fifth overall trip to the NCAA Finals in program history (2002, '16, '17, '21, '22). Four of U-M's five trips have come under ninth-year head coach Jan Dowling.
Final Team Standings
 1. San Jose State  294-284-284 = 862 (+10)  2. Virginia        294-281-290 = 865  3. MICHIGAN        293-300-287 = 880    Arkansas        291-291-298 = 880  5. Virginia Tech   302-302-279 = 883  6. Pepperdine      300-304-289 = 893  7. North Carolina  299-306-290 = 895  8. Ohio State      300-304-298 = 902  9. Washington      293-305-305 = 903 10. Xavier          299-310-296 = 905 11. UCF             300-304-305 = 909 12. Oakland         316-312-314 = 942
Top Individuals
 1. Natasha Andrea Oon, San Jose State  70-69-68 = 207 (-6)  2. Emily Mahar, Virginia Tech          72-71-69 = 212  3. Lucia Lopez-Ortega, San Jose State  72-71-70 = 213    Jana Melichova, Old Dominion        69-74-70 = 213*  5. ASHLEY LAU, U-M                     73-73-69 = 215    Amanda Sambach, Virginia            73-70-72 = 215    Jennifer Cleary, Virginia           73-67-75 = 215    Ela Anacona, Arkansas               69-73-73 = 215  9. HAILEY BORJA, U-M                   73-72-71 = 216    Emma McMyler Xavier                 73-72-71 = 216
Michigan Individuals
T23. Mikaela Schulz    74-76-73 = 223 T32. Monet Chun        73-79-74 = 226 SUB. Sophia Trombetta  83-79 (1st & 2nd) SUB. Ashley Kim        76 (3rd)
Advancing Teams & Individuals
1. San Jose State (294-284-284/862) 2. Virginia (294-281-290/865) T3. Arkansas (291-291-298/880) T3. Michigan (293-300-287/880) Ind. #1 - Virginia Tech's Emily Mahar (2nd; 72-71-69/212, -1) Ind. #2 - Old Dominion's Jana Melichova (T3rd; 69-74-70/213, E)
Players Mentioned
