The University of Indianapolis women’s golf team wrapped up its fall season with an eighth-place finish at the Ralph Hayes Toyota D2 Elite Invitational in Toccoa, Georgia. The event, shortened to two rounds due to rain, featured a strong field of 18 teams, including 10 ranked in the top 25 nationally.
Strong Start in Challenging Conditions
Rain forced a schedule change, moving the first round to Sunday and canceling Monday’s play. The Greyhounds charged up the leaderboard early, posting four scores of 73 or better in the opening round. This effort placed them in second behind eventual winner Anderson University before darkness halted play.
Head coach Andy Serketich praised the team’s performance on day one. He noted it as possibly their best team effort of the semester. All five players contributed solidly, building momentum in a loaded field.
The tournament drew top talent, with 13 of the nation’s top 25 individual players competing. UIndy freshman Paige Giovenco, ranked in that elite group, stood out for the team.
Key Performances from Greyhounds
Macey Brown led UIndy with a bogey-free 71 in the first round, one of just nine under-par scores that day. She followed with an 81, finishing tied for 35th.
Giovenco carded an even-par 72, boosted by an eagle on the par-5 first hole. Her second-round 76 secured a tie for 17th, the team’s top spot.
Senior Ava Ray and junior Caroline Whallon both shot 73-77 for +6 totals, tying for 28th. Valentina Cortez rounded out the lineup with a +12, placing 52nd.
- Brown’s under-par round highlighted UIndy’s potential against national contenders.
- Giovenco’s eagle showed her rising skill in her freshman year.
- Ray and Whallon’s consistent play added stability to the team’s score.
Tough Finish and Lessons Learned
Tuesday brought tougher conditions, and the team struggled to maintain its early form. They slipped to eighth with a +23 overall. Serketich called it a tale of two days, emphasizing the need to learn from the second round.
He remains optimistic. The team has shown golf that ranks among the best in the country. Offseason work will focus on consistency for the spring championship season.
Other teams shone brightly. Lenoir-Rhyne finished third with a strong final round of 287. UT Tyler tied for fourth, while Findlay also claimed fourth in the stacked field.
| Team | Final Position | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 1st | Not specified, but winners |
| Lenoir-Rhyne | 3rd | -1 in final round |
| UT Tyler | Tie 4th | Competitive finish |
| Findlay | 4th | Strong against top teams |
| UIndy | 8th | +23 |
Looking Ahead to Spring
UIndy entered the event ranked No. 10 nationally, fresh off a 16th-place finish at last spring’s NCAA DII Championship. This fall invitational tested them against elite competition, building experience.
Serketich thanked families and supporters who followed along. The team now turns to winter training, aiming for deeper runs in upcoming events.
The Greyhounds’ showing aligns with broader trends in women’s college golf, where Division II programs continue to raise the bar. Recent national polls highlight growing parity, with teams like Nova Southeastern and Saint Leo also performing well in similar tournaments.
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