PALM DESERT, Calif.—The UIndy women's golf team opened its spring schedule to a bang this week, earning both team and individual titles at the Augustana Spring Fling, held at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., Thursday and Friday. All five lineup players finished T-11 or better, including individual medalist Katelyn Skinner.
 
Skinner secured her first collegiate win with scores of 76-73 to finish at +5. The Evansville, Ind., native helped the Hounds hold off always-dangerous Grand Valley State, topping the runner-up Lakers by six strokes.
 
Skinner also held off her own teammate, as Catharina Graf (76-74) finished just one stroke back of the leader. Sophomore Maggie Schaffer (75-80) notched her first career top 10, sharing sixth place among the 47-woman field. Freshman Anci Dy (76-80) and senior Elyse Stasil (82-76) placed eighth and 10th at +12 and +14, respectively.
 
Two more Greyhounds made the trip as individuals, with Ellen Caton (84-84) placing 24th and Daniela Gomez (89-82) tying for 28th.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head Coach Brent Nicoson …
"I'm really excited to see our team step up when we needed them to with the absence of Anna from the lineup.  When you have a player out the caliber of Anna (Kramer), it's a next-player-up mentality, and the girls got the job done.  It was a good start to the spring season
 
"We had some very solid individual performances and I'm so happy to see Katelyn get an individual title and Cathi second at just one shot back. It's great for their confidence and great for our team. I'm very proud of them."
 
UP NEXT
The Hounds have another lengthy-but-warm-weather trip on tap as they'll head to Miami, Fla., for the BarryU Women's Invitational March 21-22.