ALLENDALE, Mich. – The UIndy women's golf team extended its season on Wednesday after placing fourth at the NCAA DII East Regional, held at The Meadows in Allendale, Mich. The Greyhounds are one of five teams to punch their ticket and will move on to the NCAA DII Championships May 13-17 at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nev.
 
The 2024 defending national champions secured their 13th consecutive trip to Nationals and will be joined by Grand Valley State, Findlay, Ferris State, and Missouri-St. Louis, as well as individual qualifiers Lisa Marie Schumacher of Tiffin and Ting-Yu Kuo from Wayne State.
 
WEDNESDAY
The Greyhounds had their best round of the tournament, finishing +14. Caroline Whallon and Abby Stone led the charge; they each finished +2 during the final round. Whallon was the top finisher for UIndy, as the sophomore shot a 74 each day for a final score of +6 to place seventh. Stone tied for 43rd along with Macey Brown at +23 over.
 
Ava Ray shot +3 on the final day and finished +10 overall, earning a share of 11th. Ellen Caton was the final member of the Hounds' lineup at +44.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head coach Andy Serketich on the Hounds' finish...
"I'd say we got off to a solid start but the tensions were high with 4-5 teams battling it out for the final three spots. Abby and Caroline played amazing today. Just an absolutely clutch round from Abby, so happy for her. Caroline probably feels like she left a few shots out there but overall she did great.

"Ava had quite the roller coaster round today but I am just incredibly impressed she battled so hard. She didn't have her 'A' game and to make six clutch birdies today was amazing.

"So, per usual, it was a total team effort. Ellen and Macey played some amazing golf as well. We would not be progressing without contributions from everyone. We are so excited to get to Nevada for the national championship in a few days. Thank you again to all the Hounds and everyone supporting us; we absolutely feel it and are grateful for the support. Go Hounds!"
 
TUESDAY
Caroline Whallon had the best day on the course with a +2 (74) round. This helped Whallon move up the leaderboard into fifth place. The sophomore is now +4 (74-74) after two rounds.
 
Ava Ray fell to T-11th after a tough second round. Ray shot a 79 during the second set of 18 holes and is now +7 (72-79). Macey Brown is sitting in (+16) T-44, with Abby Stone at +21 and Ellen Caton +31.

"We got off to a rough start," sida Head Coach Andy Serketich, "and fought through the end to salvage our team position to be in the 5th spot going into the final round. Caroline led us individually. She has been playing some amazing golf lately and no surprise to see it continue this week."
 
MONDAY
Junior Ava Ray led the Greyhounds with an even-par 72 in the opening round to share fifth place on the individual leaderboard. She racked up four birdies on the day, including two in the final three holes, to find herself two back of leader Lisa Marie Schumacher of Tiffin.
 
Newly-crowned GLVC medalist Caroline Whallon is also in the top 10. She carded a two-over 74 to share eighth place. Junior Macey Brown (+5) is T-16, followed Abby Stone at +11 and Ellen Caton at +17.