Zips Return to Rio Verde Invitational, Nicholson Defends Individual Title

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Akron, Ohio – The University of Akron women's golf team enters their first stroke play event of the spring season in Rio Verde, Ariz. on Feb. 22-25 at the Rio Verde Invitational hosted by Western Michigan.

For the first time since 2014, the tournament returns to the Rio Verde Country Club's Quail Run course. The par-71 Quail Run course stretches 6,209 yards.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, the Zips will learn the lay of the land during their practice round which begins at 1 p.m.. The following day, Friday, Feb. 23, Akron is scheduled to begin the 54-hole event as tee time and starting positions will be released on Thursday evening.

"This is always our favorite tournament each year because the Rio Verde community is very involved in this event to make it special," head coach Jenny King said. "This time around we will have the defending champion returning and a different team line-up."

The Tournament's 17-team field includes host Western Michigan, Akron, Arkansas State, Ball State, Bowling Green State, Bradley, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State, Missouri State, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Seton Hall, Arkansas Little-Rock, Missouri Kansas City, Wichita State, and Xavier.

The Akron women's golf team enters the Rio Verde Invitational after a successful Fall season and placing fifth overall at the MAC Match Play Challenge. Junior Danielle Nicholson (Geneva, Ohio) won all three matches in the spring opener and looks to defend last season's individual tournament win at Rio Verde. This season, Nicholson sports a 75.82 stroke average.

Akron's starting five includes Nicholson, freshman Jacinta Pikunas (Youngstown, Ohio), senior Pader Her (Holt, Mich.), sophomore Allyson Wentworth (Stewartsville, N.J.), and junior Makayla Dull (Fremont, Ohio). In addition, senior Mallory Etcheberry (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) and freshman Abbie Pearce (Green, Ohio) joins the Zips as individuals.

Pikunas leads the Zips with a team-low 73.18 stroke average with four Top 25 finishes and a win in four stroke play events. Nicholson follows with two Top 25's, while Her owns a 78.09 stroke average with a pair of Top 25 showings. Rounding out the team averages are Dull and Wentworth with 80.0 and 81.8, respectively. Dull has one Top 25 finish this season.

"I think the course sets up well for us, so I'm excited for the team to see what lies ahead and for us to develop a good game plan," King said.
Last season, the Zips finished 11^th overall out of 19 teams at Rio Verde as Nicholson out-dueled UMKC's Chandler Gallagher, beating her by one stroke to take the win. Eastern Michigan won the team title after shooting an 889 team total.

Originally known as the East/West Rio Verde Invitational, the 2018 edition of the Rio Verde Invitational is in its 16th year. Host Western Michigan University, from Kalamazoo, Mich., won the inaugural invitational in the spring of 2003 with a score of 614. The event moved from a 36-hole to a 54-hole format in 2005. The event returns to the Quail Run course for the first time since 2014. The last time it was played on Quail Run, Xavier claimed the top spot.

Fans can follow the action via GolfStat Live Scoring. For tee times and starting positions, follow the Round 1 Pairings. Live stats will be posted throughout the tournament on GolfStat.com.

Zips Return to Rio Verde Invitational, Nicholson Defends Individual Title

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Players Mentioned

Makayla Dull

Mallory Etcheberry

Pader Her

Danielle Nicholson

Abbie Pearce

Jacinta Pikunas

Allyson Wentworth

The University of Akron Athletics