VICTORIA – The University of Victoria women's golf team secured their spot at the upcoming NAIA National Championship after sweeping the three-team AII Regional Championship hosted Apr. 29-30 at The Republic Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas. Third-year Vike Rhiannon Jones was the lowest individual after two-round scores of 79 and 75.
 
RESULTS

The Vikes women finished overall in the three-team championship that also included College of the Ozarks and Indiana University Northwest. The Vikes shot a team score of 315 on both days to finish with a 630, while College of the Ozarks finished with 765 and Indiana University Northwest carded 1034.
 
"The women finished the final round today with another string showing, shooting 315", said Vikes head coach Justin Clews. "Unfortunately, the greens were in pretty poor shape for the week but the team really persevered with respectable scores for two days. I'm really proud of Rhiannon winning the individual title along with Nicole's great play finishing solo second with scores of 79-76."
 

Jones, who shot a two-round score of 154, was followed in the individual standings by fellow Vikes Nicole Gargarella (155), Sukriti Harjai (158), Melanie Murchison (163) and Quinn Fitzgerald (176). Jones and Gargarella were just one stroke a part in their second round as Gargarella shot a 76, behind Jones' 75. 
 
"Unfortunately, not many schools were able to field women's teams for this event in our conference but our team still benefited from the championship and, regardless, we have had a great season heading in to Nationals," added Clews.

Prior to the championship Fitzgerald was also named to the A.I.I. Circle of Champions list, a program in support of the NAIA's Circle of Champions program. Fitzgerald was recognized for her service, leadership, sportsmanship and character.
 

Following the event Rhiannon Jones was named AII Conference Player of the Year, as well as an AII All-Region team member alongside her four team mates Gargarella, Murchison, Harjai and Fitzgerald.

The Vikes will now look ahead to their two upcoming national championships. The first is the May 14-17 NAIA National Championship hosted at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Canadian University/College National Championship will wrap up the team's 2018-19 season and that event will be hosted in conjunction with Golf Canada at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. from May 27-31.
 
A.I.I. Regional Conference Championship
 
1^st – Victoria (315 – 315 : 630)
1 – Rhiannon Jones (79 -75 : 154) +12
2 – Nicole Gargarella (79 – 76 : 155) +13
3 – Sukriti Harjai (78 – 80 : 158) + 16
4 – Melanie Murchison (79 – 84 : 163) +21
5 – Quinn Fitzgerald (90 – 86 : 176) +34
 

2019 Association of Independent Institutions Women's Golf All-Conference

Player of the Year: Rhiannon Jones

Coach of the Year: Justin Clews, Victoria

A.I.I. All-Conference Team: Rhiannon Jones, University of Victoria; Nicole Gargarella, University of Victoria; Sukriti Harjai, University of Victoria; Melanie Murchison, University of Victoria; and Quinn Fitzgerald, University of Victoria

Champions of Character: Grayce Roach, Indiana University Northwest; Kaylee Thieme, College of the Ozarks; and Quinn Fitzgerald, University of Victoria