Rebels women’s golf team retains title

The message for UNLV's women's golf team Wednesday was simple: finish what you started.

The Rebels didn't slip up after starting the final round with a huge lead, retaining their title in the UNLV Spring Invitational with a 12-shot victory over Texas at Boulder Creek Golf Club.

"I'm proud we were able to come home and defend our title," coach Missy Ringler said after the Rebels posted a three-day total of 2-over-par 866. "We talked about going out and playing for three days, and we did it."

UNLV had removed all drama by the end of the second round Tuesday, when it pushed an opening-round seven-shot lead to 17 shots, making the Rebels the only squad in the 18-team field to enter the final round under par.

The Longhorns made a big push to finish second after starting Wednesday 27 shots back.

Texas had the final day's best round at 4-under 284 and finished with a three-day total of 878. Texas Tech was third at 886.

Medalist Therese Koelbaek led the way for UNLV, shooting 1-under 71 in cold, windy and rainy conditions to finish three shots ahead of Idaho's Kayla Mortellaro (75) at 6-under 210.

"I just tried to keep doing the same things I've been doing," said Koelbaek, a junior who won her third individual collegiate tournament title. "I just wanted to keep it in the fairway and not take any chances.

"I didn't hit it as close as I'd would have liked on some of the holes (Wednesday), but with the conditions being what they were, I didn't want to take any chances."

Rebels senior Natasha Krishna was solid all week, finishing tied for fourth at par 216 (71-72-73) -- her best performance of the year -- after being dogged by inconsistent play all spring.

"For me, it was nice to prove I could shoot a good score in tournament conditions," Krishna said. "It's been frustrating this year. I know I'm a good player. And to play well this week gave me my confidence back."

UNLV sophomore Kristen Schelling continued her strong play, opening with rounds of 69 and 71. She finished tied for eighth at 3-over 219.

The Rebels' Alejandra Guacaneme, a junior from Colombia who has had a tough time this spring, played some of her best golf of the year, finishing tied for 17th at 6-over 222.

UNLV hopes its success at Boulder Creek will propel it to a strong finish.

The Rebels head to Tucson, Ariz., in two weeks to play in the Mountain View Collegiate, their final event before the Mountain West Conference Championships from April 15 to 17.

A year ago, UNLV went to Arizona and finished second to San Jose State. Ringler would take a similar result this time around.

"It's better to be peaking late in the season," she said. "This win can only help us the rest of the way."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.