WINTER GARDENS, Fla. – The UIndy women's golf team is moving on at the 2024 NCAA DII Championships, earning a spot in one of four quarterfinal matches on Thursday. Led by top-20 finishes from Jess Haines and Ava Ray, the Greyhounds finished 54 holes of stroke play in seventh place, three strokes clear of a non-advancing spot.
 
Held at Orange County National just outside Orlando, Fla., the year's marquee tournament concluded 54 holes of stroke play today, with the top eight teams moving on the medal/match play portion. UIndy will pair off with two-seed West Texas A&M on Friday morning, with tee times starting 8:40 a.m. from hole No. 1. Click/tap here for pairings.
 
UIndy is making its 12th consecutive appearance at Nationals as well as its fourth quarterfinal showing in the five seasons since the NCAA adopted the format.
 
THURSDAY
Locked in a three-way tie for eighth place late in the third round, newly-named First Team All-American, junior Anci Dy fired four birdies on the back nine—including three in the final four holes—to lead the charge. All five Hounds had at least one birdie down the stretch.
 
But it was freshman Jess Haines that topped the Hounds when all the scores where finally tallied. Showing poise beyond her years, the rookie finished at even par in her first Nationals appearance, tying for 14th place with scores of 71-69-76.
 
Sophomore Ava Ray finished right behind her teammate at +1 and T-19. She carded an even-par 72 Thursday, as did Dy, who climbed to T-35. Both Matilda Cederholm and Caroline Whallon finished at +8 and T-53.
 
WEDNESDAY
Reigning GLVC Freshman of the Year Jess Haines continued her hot start at Nationals, firing a team-best 69 Wednesday to leap into the top five. She strung together a fabulous front nine, needing just 33 stroke before the turn, then shot even par on the back to move to -4 on the tournament. She currently sits just two back of the lead with 18 holes of stroke play to go.
 
Ava Ray made the biggest leap on the leaderboard, vaulting 15 spots after a one-under 71. She carded a team-high five birdies in the round, including four on the back nine. The Franklin, Ind., product is now at +1 and T-20 for the tournament.
 
The remaining three Hounds also moved up, with all three positioned in the 40s. Anci Dy (+5) carded a two-over 74 Wednesday and sits at T-43. Matilda Cederholm (+6) and Caroline Whallon (+6) are tied for 48th.
 
The third and final round of stroke play starts at 11:40 a.m. ET for the Greyhounds. Live results are available here.
 
TUESDAY
Making her Nationals debut, Haines opened the round par-birdie and continued to sink putts. The Somerset, England native racked up 13 pars and three birdies to settle at T-11 among the nation's best golfers.
 
Ava Ray finished at +2 after carding a birdie on the par-5 18th, while the balance of the UIndy quintet—Anci Dy, Matilda Cederholm and Caroline Whallon—all shot +3 on the day. Dy also birdied 18, Cederholm finished with five straight pars, while Whallon drained a long putt to birdie 17.