SIOUX FALLS -- The University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team, led by seven-time NSIC Player of the Week Lexi Hanson, look to continue a solid season as the Cougars compete at the 2021 Holiday Inn Express MWSU Spring Invitational Regional Preview at the St. Joseph Country Club in St. Joseph, MO, on Monday and Tuesday, March 29-30. For live scoring, click here.

Led by Sydney Hubbard, the Cougars finished in 4th place at the Midwest Intercollegiate Invite in Warrensburg, MO on March 22-23. The Cougars shot a combined 67-over par 635 (318-317) to finish fourth. Hubbard, who finished with a 15-over par 157 (79-78), moved up four spots into a tie for 11th as she had consecutive sub-80 rounds with a 78 (39-39) following up her 79 on day one. Hubbard, who was tied for fifth overall with four total birdies, registered 15 pars during her two rounds. In addition, Hubbard, who recorded her ninth career top-20 finish and sixth in the top-15, was 12^th in par five scoring at two-over.

Senior Lexi Hansen also recorded a top-20 finish which was the 26^th of her career. She finished at 19-over par 161 (76-85). The reigning NSIC Golfer of the Week, she finished with two birdies and 18 pars during her two rounds. Today, she had eight pars in shooting 85 (44-41). She finished 13^th overall in par 5 scoring.

Sophomore Maggie Veenendall registered her fifth career top-20 finish as she carded a 20-over par 162 (79-83). In the round of 83 (44-41) today, she had seven pars and a birdie on hole three. Overall she was tied for eighth with three birdies during the two rounds and totaled 15 pars.

Through eight rounds in 2021, USF has shot 2,591 strokes for an average of 323.88 with a low round of 315. USF has had rounds of 315, 317, 318, 327, 328, 321, 332, and 333 this year. 

Player Notes -- 

Along with Hanson's seven NSIC weekly honors, USF Women's Golf now has had 11 student-athletes earn NSIC Golfer of the Week honors. Kami Love, was honored on March 21, 2017 and Hanson earned the honor on March 14, 2017 as well on Sept. 6, 2018, Sept. 27, 2019, March 14, 2019; March 12, 2020 and March 10, 2021 and March 17, 2021 while Lexi Jonas was honored Oct. 2, 2019 while Alex Nutter was honored April 10, 2019 . They join current Head Coach Tavia Rutherford, who was selected on Sept. 17, 2014 while a member of the USF Women's Team.

Hanson helped lead USF Women's Golf Team to a season-best second place team finish at the Hillcat Classic on March 15-16 in Owasso, Okla. She finished at nine-over par 153 (77-76) by carding consistent rounds both days. The NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, Hanson opened the two-round classic by carding a 77 (39-38), which was five-over par. She had a birdie on hole one and then used 11 pars to finish with a 77. In the final round, Hanson had five birdies on holes 1, 3, 7, 8, and 10 along with four pars as she shot a 76 (41-35) with a five-over 41 on the front nine and a one-under par 35 on the back nine in the final round. She finished with six birdies and 15 pars in the two rounds. As a team, USF finished at 647 (332-315) and was runner-up to Rogers State.

Already this spring, Hanson has had a solid start with three top-12 finishes at competitive competitions in Oklahoma and Arkansas. On March 10, she was NSIC Golfer of the Week after finishing eighth at the Diffee Ford-Lincoln Invite in Edmond, Okla., with a 151 (74-77). 

The senior from Chanhassen, Minnesota, who has been named the NSIC Preseason Golfer of the Year, recorded her 18th career top-10 finish and 10^th top-five finish by taking second place at the Hillcat Classic. Hanson has 25 top-20 and two individual titles during her stellar career at USF.

The top NSIC average  scoring leader from a year ago, the three-time Academic All-NSIC, two-time all-region and two-time All-NSIC performer leads USF with a 77.13 scoring average with a low round of 74 (twice) this season. 

Sydney Hubbard has played six rounds and made 472 shots for an average of 78.67. Her low round is a 76 (Diffee Ford Lincoln Invite, 3-8-9-21). This year her top two-round total was at the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invite with a 156 (78-80). She has totaled four top-10 finishes in her career and has two top-five finishes. A year ago, she finished eighth in the NSIC in 2019.20 with a 79.0 scoring average. On Sept. 4, 2019, she had her best career round of 154 (76-78). in placing 27^th at the Central Region Fall Preview. She shot a career best 74 single round at the IAA Fall Preview on Sept. 25, 2019. 

Senior Kyleigh Moran is averaging 84.13 per round with 673 shots in eight rounds with a low round of 76 at the Midwest Intercollegiate Invite on March 23, 2021 (second round). She has two top-20 finishes, including 16^th at the Augustana Invitational on Sept. 29-30, 2018 with a career-best 158 (80-78). She was 14^th at the NSIC Fall Preview on Oct. 21, 2018.

Senior Lexi Jonas is averaging 85.00 this year with 680 strokes in eight rounds and a low round of 78 (Hillcat Classic, 2^nd round, March 16, 2021). Highlighting her career was a first-place finish at the Augustana Invite with a 151 (78-73), which was her second best effort of her career. A year ago, she had three top-10 finishes and that goes with six overall top-20 finishes as an individual. She shot a career-best 148 (74-74) in finishing tied for seventh at the MIAA Fall Preview on Sept. 24-25, 2019. She was the NSIC Women's Golfer of the Week on October 2nd after winning the Augustana Invite and helping USF win a team title.

Also for USF, sophomore Maggie Veenendall is averaging 80.50 per round with six rounds and 483 shots. She has low of 78 (Diffee Ford Lincoln Invite, 3-4-2021, 1^st round) this year. She has four top-20 and one top-five finish with her best two-round total of 151 (75-76) at the Central Region Preview. Veenendall, who averaged 79.42 a year ag0), placed thirteen at that meet in Sept. 4, 2019. The 75 in the opening round of the Central Region Preview is her career best. She was a career-best four at the Augustana Invite on Sept. 28-29, 2019 when she carded a 156 (79-77).

Sophomore Annie Balduzzi is averaging 89.25 in four rounds with 357 shots. She has a low round of 87 (Natural State Golf Classic, 3/4/2021, 1^st round) this year.  A year ago, she shot a career-best 153 in finishing 20^th at the MIAA Fall Preview on Sept. 24-25, 2019. Her career-best round is a 75 in the second round of the Gold Bear Classic when her 156 (81-75) was a career-best sixth place finish. She has two top-20 and one top-10 finish.

Junior Marisa Weeks has six rounds and an 84.50 average with 507 shots. She has a low round of 78 (Natural State Golf Classic, 3-4-21, 2^nd round).