NOBLESVILLE, IN – Toledo battled No. 13 Kent State shot for shot in the 2016 Mid-American Conference Women's Golf Championships this weekend. Unfortunately for the Rockets, the Golden Flashes were a mere four strokes better at the par-72, 6,186-yard Purgatory Golf Club to win the league title for an 18^th-straight year.
 
KSU posted a 54-hole total of four-over par 868 (294-285-289), while UT notched an eight-over par 872 (289-293-290) for its lowest stroke total ever in the MAC Championships. Ohio finished in third place at 18-over par 882 (301-292-289) and was followed by Eastern Michigan (896), Western Michigan (899), Northern Illinois (905), Akron (905), Bowling Green (913), Ball State (920) and Central Michigan (958)
 
Following the tournament, Head Coach Nicole Hollingsworth was honored as MAC Coach of the Year for the second time in the last three seasons as Toledo notched its third runner-up showing in the last four years. Senior Sathika Ruenreong also was awarded first-team All-MAC accolades for a fourth straight year, and senior Manisa Isavas received second-team All-MAC laurels for a third consecutive year. Ruenreong is the only Rocket to earn first-team all-league honors more than once, while Isavas became the third Rocket to be named to an All-MAC squad on three occasions.
 
"It was an exciting weekend of golf and I'm very thankful for all the fan support we received," Hollingsworth said. "We just came up a little bit short. Kent State is an extremely talented team, and I think this may the best team they've had during their amazing run of success. They are one of the top teams in the country, and I think they have the ability to do very well in the NCAAs."
 
Freshman Pimchanok Kawil paced the Rockets in the tourney with a career-low three-under par 213 (73-69-71) to finish in second place, two strokes behind medalist Danielle Nicholson (69-71-71) of Akron. Freshman Natcha Daengpiem registered UT's second-best total, finishing at three-over par 219 (73-75-71).
 
"Our freshmen played with nerves of steel, especially today on a course that wasn't playing easy," Hollingsworth said. "Both Pimchanok and Natcha grew a lot this season, and I'm looking forward to our future with them leading the way."
 
Isavas (69-75-76) and Ruenreong (74-74-72) tied for 10^th place for Toledo at four-over par 220, while senior Morgan Salm tied for 33^rd place at 15-over par 231 (75-77-79). Salm was playing in her first tournament since late February after being sidelined by a wrist injury.

"Our seniors have been instrumental in leading us to the greatest season in our program's history," said Hollingsworth about UT's campaign which included a school-record five tournament titles. "Sathika and Manisa have been the best one-two punch Toledo has ever had, and they've raised the level of our program since arriving on campus. Morgan also played a big role for us and was on her way to an all-conference season before hurting her wrist. It's going to be sad to see them go, and I want to thank each of them for all the contributions they have made."
 
Ruenreong may still have a chance to represent the Rockets one more time as an individual at the NCAA Regionals on May 5-7. She will find out tomorrow evening during the 2016 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships Women's Golf selection show. The telecast will begin at 6:00 p.m. EDT on the Golf Channel and will also be streamed on the Golf Channel website.
 
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Kent State 294-285-289=868 (+4); 2. Toledo 289-293-290=872 (+8); 3. Ohio 301-292-289=882 (+18); 4. Eastern Michigan 296-310-290=896 (+32); 5. Western Michigan 293-306-300=899 (+35); T6. Northern Illinois 310-298-297=905 (+41); T6. Akron 300-302-303=905 (+41); 8. Bowling Green 295-313-305=913 (+49); 9. Ball State 311-306-303=920 (+56); 10. Central Michigan 317-321-320=958 (+94)
 
TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS
1. Danielle Nicholson (UA) 69-71-71=211 (-5); 2. Pimchanok Kawil (UT) 73-69-71=213 (-3); 3. Hailey Hrynewich (Ohio) 74-73-67=214 (-2); T4. Emily Hughes (Ohio) 73-69-74=216 (E);  T4. Wad Phaewchimplee  (KSU) 75-68-73=216 (E)
 
TOLEDO INDIVIDUALS                       
2. Pimchanok Kawil 73-69-71=213 (-3); 9. Natcha Daengpiem 73-75-71=219 (+3); T10. Manisa Isavas 69-75-76=220 (+4); T10. Sathika Ruenreong 74-74-72=220 (+4); T33. Morgan Salm 75-77-79=231 (+15)