By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Another strong day on the links lifted the Tennessee Tech women's golf team to a top-five showing at the Terrier Intercollegiate Tuesday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles closed out their fall campaign in style at the Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg, S.C.

The purple and gold jumped two spots on the leaderboard to place fifth in the 14-team field, building a round of 305 to finish at 919 overall and two shots above sixth-place Lamar. Elon leapfrogged Samford to capture the tournament title by three strokes with an 894. Western Carolina's Brielle Mapanao captured individual medalist honors behind a 4-under 212 for the week.

Leading the way for the Golden Eagles behind a career performance was senior Gittle Sciolis, who earned her first career All-Tournament honor after placing third among the 75 participants in the field. The Tech veteran shattered her previous best 54-hole score by nine shots, registering a 1-over 217 with a final-round tally of 73, two birdies, and 13 pars.

Helping prop up the effort for the Cookeville crew was rookie Chloe Griffith, tying for 29th behind a final three-round score of 233. The freshman turned in four birdies on the day while rounding out competition with a 78. 

Tying for 37th overall, Reagan Stuke carded a 77 with three birdies to round out the week. The junior completed play at the Carolina Country Club with a 235. Three shots behind her teammate, Ainsley Simms closed out the scoring for the purple and gold with her own 77 thanks to four birdies. The senior tied for 44th behind a composite score of 238.

Sophomore Kaydi Rhodes rounded out the Golden Eagle lineup with a collective final of 249, tallying an 84 on the day. Competing as an individual, fellow sophomore Sydney Branson concluded her first tournament of the year with an 88 and three-round total of 259.

Tech will return from winter break and kick off the spring season at the Oyster Shuck Match Play event, hosted by The Citadel at Charleston Municipal Golf Course in Charleston, S.C. Monday, Feb. 12 and Tuesday, Feb. 13. 

File photo by David Oghenekaro