By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
OWENS CROSS ROADS, Ala. – Tennessee Tech's Allyson Dunn played near-perfect golf Wednesday on the final day of the 2016 Ohio Valley Conference women's golf championship.
The Golden Eagle sophomore from Kingsport, Tenn., made a swift ascent up the leaderboard, rocketing 11 spots to claim a tie for second place and earn all-tournament honors. Her stellar play paced a near-record team effort that pushed the Golden Eagles to second place overall in the 10-team gathering.
It is Tech's highest finish at the conference tournament in 13 years, since a similar second-place showing in 2004.
"I was just truly inspired by watching these ladies perform the last three days," said head coach Polk Brown. "They never gave up for one second and absolutely played their rear ends off until the final putt dropped. We couldn't be more proud."
Dunn posted an impressive 69, the second-lowest individual round of the tournament and the second-lowest score in Tech history. Her round included six birdies and 10 pars, with one bogey and one double bogey. Dunn really figured out the course over her three days in the Alabama sunshine, shooting 78 Monday and 75 Tuesday, before her brilliant round Wednesday.
It wasn't a one-woman show for coach Polk Brown's team, however, a squad which bounced back splendidly following a 311 Monday that left them in sixth place. The Golden Eagles improved to a 302 on Tuesday, slipping into fourth place, then closed with their charge into second with Wednesday's 293.
The score ranks as the third-best single-round score in school history, and the team's 54-hole total of 906 is tied for the second-best in team history.
Freshman Hollee Sadler was among the most consistent players in the field, putting up rounds of 76-74-76 for a 54-hole 226 total to finish in a tie for seventh place.
Junior Whitney Robertson and senior Maddi Everts were Tech's next finishers, tied for 16th place at 230. Megan Williamson had the most satisfying finish, climbing all the way up to 27th place after struggling to an 83 in the opening round. The senior from Murfreesboro fought back to post scores that figured into Tech's team total each of the final two days, with a 78 Tuesday and a final round 76 for a 237 total.
Defending tourney champion Eastern Kentucky set the stage early with a 293 Monday, and never looked back. The Colonels followed with a 294 on Tuesday and finished with a 301 Wednesday for an 888 team total to win the championship.
"We have to tip our caps to Eastern Kentucky, as well," Brown said. "They played some extraordinary golf. It was just a great three days for our program, as everyone played at a high level at one point or another or consistently throughout the event. Everyone contributed which is vital to being successful. The future continues to look bright for this team."
Following the Golden Eagles in second place, Jacksonville State (911) finished third, followed by Morehead State (918), Austin Peay (925), and Murray State (927). The final four teams included Belmont (947), SIUE (965), Eastern Illinois (1,002) and Tennessee State (1,072).
Murray State's Moa Folke, who came into the final round tied for the lead after matching 71s, slipped to a final round 77 but managed to hang on to capture medalist honors by three shots with a 219. Anna Gleixner of Eastern Kentucky, who had the low round of the tourney with a 68 Monday, was tied for the lead at 142 before shooting an 80 Wednesday and finishing tied with Dunn at 222.
The remaining two all-tourney spots went to EKU's Sofie Levin (223) and Morgan Kauffman of Austin Peay (224).
"Individually, what can really be said? Wow," Brown said. "Maddi and Megan both finished in fine form. I could not be more proud of these two in terms of how they finished and just in terms of their careers. It has been an absolute joy to coach them, and we will miss them incredibly.
"Whitney was as steady as usual. We look forward to her final go-round next season," Brown added.
"For her first OVC Championship and just her first season in general, Hollee has done outstanding.," he added. "The future is very bright for this young lady. The same can be said for Allyson. She played at a very high level in this event. She is a truly remarkable young lady, and we couldn't be more proud of her and her accomplishments this year."
Dunn led all players in the tournament in scoring birdies with 14.
"These next two years look to be very special for her. The bottom line is, we can't wait for August," Brown said. "Next year is going to be awesome, just as this year was. It has been a heckuva ride and we are honored to be a part of it."
photo courtesy of Dave Winder, Murray State University
