HUNTSVILLE, AL – Lipscomb Women's Golf concluded its fall campaign on a high note, finishing runner up at The Robbie. In addition, three Bisons finished in the top ten in the event, headlined by junior Ava Bankstonwho finished tied for fifth, alongside Savannah Howell and Casey Yu, both of whom finished in a tie for eighth. 
 
Lipscomb ended the first round in a tie for fifth after shooting a combined 300 (+12). The Bisons trailed eventual champion Georgia by 17 strokes after the first round. Georgia got off to a hot start with two players turning in scorecards in the red, highlighted by eventual individual champion Maria Garcia who carded an opening round 69 (-3). Following the Bulldogs in round one was Tennessee Tech (293, +5), Morehead State (296, +8), and Murray State (297, +9).

Sitting in a tie for fifth and 17 strokes out of first, the Bisons shot towards the top of the standings on moving day by shooting a tournament low 280 (-8). The round was fueled by Katya Tibbetts, who shot a career low 66 (-6). Tibbets got off to a fast start with a birdie on #1 and sat at (-3) after the first five holes. The junior from Montgomery, Texas ended the round with six birdies and no bogeys, turning in the low round of the day for all competitors. Tibbetts had previously set a career low by shooting a 68 (-4) last week at the Diamante Intercollegiate.

Tibbetts wasn't the only Bison to turn in a low round on the day. She was joined in red figures by Savannah Howell (70, -2) and Ava Bankston (71 (-1). Senior Casey Yu turned in a 73 (+1) to help the Bisons climb three spots and take over sole possession of second place heading into the final round. Lipscomb's 19 birdies on the round tied Georgia for the most birdies of any team in a single round for the tournament. 
 
While Lipscomb gained ground on most teams, first placed Georgia matched the Bisons second round 280 (-8) to hold a 17-stroke advantage over the Bisons going into the final round. Lipscomb had sole possession of second place, holding a ten-stroke advantage over third place Tennessee Tech. After a night of storms, cold weather and wet conditions made Sunday's final a challenge for all competitors. That was, for all competitors not named Casey Yu. The senior got off to a slow start on her first hole of the shotgun finale, posting a double-bogey on the par-five #3 hole. It was all business from there, as Yu rode seven birdies and an eagle to shoot a 67 (-5), which was the low round of the day for all competitors.
Propelled by Yu's score, Lipscomb was able to shoot a 290 (+2) and best Georgia by eight strokes in the final round. By the time all scores were counted, Lipscomb ended up with a three-round total of 870 (+6) to finish in second place by 16 strokes of the next closest squad. Junior Ava Bankston posted her highest finish as a Bison, with a (218, +2), followed by a pair of eighth placed finishes from Savannah Howell and Casey Yu, both completing the tournament with a 219 (+3).
 
Katya Tibbetts was the next finisher for Lipscomb, who finished in 13^th. Tibbetts opened the tournament with a 76 and then fired off the lowest round for all Bisons with a 66 in round two. Not only was the (-6) the lowest round of the day, but it ended up being the lowest round by any golfer for the entire tournament. She ended Sunday with a 79 for a three-round total of 221 (+5). Maria Alcocer rounded out the scoring for Lipscomb, finishing tied for 26^th with a 228 (+12). 
 
With Lipscomb hosting The Robbie, several individuals were able to compete and gain valuable experience heading into the Spring season.  Sophomore Bridget Craig led the way for all individuals. Craig was consistent over all three rounds, finishing tied for 21^st place (74, 75, 76). Sonja Tibbets followed in a tie for 32^nd place (83, 74, 74) just one stroke ahead of fellow teammate Christina Surcey (82, 73, 77). Rounding out the individuals for the Bisons in 44^th place was Caroline King (84, 83, 72).
 
 
UP NEXT 
Lipscomb will resume its season in February at the AGPC/UNCG Collegiate in West Palm Beach, FL.