BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Led by medalist Pilar Echeverria, the UIndy women's golf team extended an already impressive streak Wednesday, winning its seventh consecutive NCAA Division II East Super Regional. The Greyhounds (292-292-298) erased a three-stroke deficit at the start of the final round and went on to a five-shot victory over runner-up Grand Valley State. The 12-team, three-day tournament was held at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Mich.
 
The win ensures another trip the nationals for the Hounds. Grand Valley and Missouri-St.Louis will join them at the 2018 NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championships next week. In addition, individuals Camden Morrison of Franklin Pierce, Findlay's Makenzie Torres and Krystal Hu of Ashland will also be making the trip to the championships.
 
Said Head Coach Nicoson of the win: "This group just continues to get it done, and I couldn't be happier for the players.  I'm so proud of them." 
 
UIndy finished one-two on the individual leaderboard. Echeverria (69-71-76) took home the title at even par, while teammate Katharina Keilich (75-71-74) earning runner-up honors at +4.
 
Just a sophomore, Echeverria is now a two-time individual regional champion. The Guatemala City, Guatemala native carded scores of 69-71-76 to break a 36-hole tie with Grand Valley's Katie Chipman before claiming a second consecutive regional crown. The accomplishment comes on the heels of earning her second straight GLVC Player of the Year honor.
 
Senior Annika Haynes (74-73-75) also finished in the top five, with her 54-hole score of +6 good for a share of fifth among the 66 competitors. Senior Kylie Raines (74-77-77) tied for 13th overall, while senior Paxton DeHaven (76-82-73) had her best round of the week Wednesday to vault into a tie for 19th.
 
"Pilar, Katie and Annika were great this week," added Nicoson. "It seems like it's someone different each week and that depth is an asset during post season."
 
Nicoson knows he needs all five players to produce to win at the highest level, but he took a moment to single out his seniors and how dominant they have been in their time at UIndy.
 
"Winning a fourth straight GLVC championship, a fourth straight NCAA Regional and getting back to the national championship were important goals for our group of seniors, and I'm so glad they have accomplished all three.  We are excited for the opportunity to play for a national championship."
 
That chance will come May 16-19 at the Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston. UIndy will be gunning for its second national title in four years. The Greyhounds have not finished lower than third at nationals in each of the past three seasons.

TUESDAY
With two-thirds of the NCAA Division II Women's Golf East Super Regional in the books, the UIndy women's golf team inched closer to earning its seventh straight berth at nationals Tuesday. The Greyhounds sit in second place with 18 holes to go, with the top three teams advancing to 2018 NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championships in Houston next week.
 
Leader Grand Valley State matched UIndy stroke-for-stroke Tuesday, with both teams finishing the day at 292. Lakers will maintain their three-stroke lead heading into Wednesday's final round. Meanwhile, both GVSU and UIndy pulled even further away from the field, with third-place Missouri-St. Louis a sizeable 37 strokes back of the lead.
 
Individually, three Greyhounds are positioned in the top five, with sophomore Pilar Echeverria tied for the lead at -4. The freshly-crown GLVC Golfer of the Year carded a one-under 71 Tuesday to remain deadlocked with GVSU's Katie Chipman at the top of the leaderboard.
 
Junior Katharina Keilich also shot a 71 Tuesday, vaulting 10 spots into a tie third place overall. Senior Annika Haynes moved into fifth with a one-over 73. Senior Kylie Raines is tied for 13th among the 66 golfers, while senior Paxton DeHaven is tied for 32nd.

MONDAY
The opening day of the 2018 NCAA Women's Golf East Super Regional concluded this afternoon. The Greyhounds finished 18 holes with a team score of 292 – three back of leader Grand Valley State and nine clear of third-place Northern Michigan. Sophomore Pilar Echeverria carded a three-under 69 to share the individual lead.
 
Echeverria finished with a flurry, going eagle-birdie-birdie on the final three holes to vault into first. Seniors Annika Haynes and Kylie Raines each shot a 74 to share sixth place, Katharina Keilich's 75 was good for 13th, while Paxton DeHaven penciled in a 76 to tie for 20th.