The University of Akron Athletics
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Rio Verde Collegiate
Women's Golf to Play Three-Day Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational
February 23 | Women's Golf
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GolfStat Live Scoring | Round 1 Pairings | Leaderboard: Team | Player
Akron, Ohio – The University of Akron women's golf team will travel to Rio Verde, Ariz. on Feb. 23-26, for its first team tournament of the spring schedule, the Rio Verde Invitational hosted by Western Michigan. The three-day event is scheduled to be played at Rio Verde Country Club's White Wing golf course. The par-72 White Wing course stretches 6,215 yards.
On Thursday, Feb. 23, the Zips will learn the lay of the land during their practice round which begins at 1 p.m. from the No. 2 tee box. The following day, Friday, Feb. 24, Akron is scheduled to begin the 54-hole event as tee time and starting positions will be released on Thursday evening.
"We've been able to take advantage of some great weather this past week to help us prepare for Rio Verde," head coach Jenny King said. "We are excited to continue that momentum."
The Tournament's 19-team field includes host Western Michigan, Akron, Arkansas State, Ball State, BGSU, Bradley, Central Arkansas, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State, Missouri State, Northern Illinois, Northern Arizona, Ohio, Seton Hall, Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC), Wichita State, and Xavier.
Akron's starting five includes sophomore Danielle Nicholson (Geneva, Ohio), listed as Akron's No. 1, followed by Junior Pader Her (Holt, Mich.), sophomore Makayla Dull (Fremont, Ohio), senior Alejandra Velasco-Villanueva (Guadalajara, Mexico), and freshman Allyson Wentworth (Stewartsville, N.J.). In Addition, Mallory Etcheberry (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) will be competing as an individual.
"Our next step in our preparation is to make sure we adjust to the speed of the greens," King said. "The short game will be the key to low and consistent scores."
Fans can follow the action via GolfStat Live Scoring. For tee times and starting positions follow the Round 1 Pairings tab.
Akron opened its spring schedule at the Mid-American Conference Match Play Challenge. The Zips posted wins in the quarterfinal over Northern Illinois (4-1) and in the semifinal against Oakland (3-2) before falling in the championship to Lamar (5-0).
Her and Wentworth led the Zips, each posting two wins during the 54-hole event. Her defeated NIU's Lena Gautier 2&1 and followed with a 2UP win over Oakland's Fiona Schmidt, while Wentworth won 3&2 against NIU's Lexi Salberg and defeated Oakland's Maddie Zack 2&1.
Nicholson, Velasco-Villanueva, and Dull all supported Akron's match play efforts with a win. Nicholson (1-2) opened the event with an impressive 6&5 win over NUI's Brielle Ward, while Velasco-Villanueva also used a dominant performance to put away Oakland's Zaafina Naqvi, 6&5. Dull added a 3&2 win over NIU's Kelly Anderson.
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Players Mentioned
