PHOENIX – Behind a 4-over-par 148 from freshman Lauren Taylor, the Utah Valley University women's golf team opened its spring season by tying for sixth out of 14 teams at the GCU Invitational on Sunday at Grand Canyon University Golf Course with a 25-over-par 601. 
 
After carding a 10-over-par 298 on Saturday, the Wolverines posted a 15-over-par 303 on Sunday to finish the 36-hole event with a 601 and earn the sixth-place finish. 
 
The host GCU Lopes edged out fellow WAC foe California Baptist by a stroke to win the event at even par (287-289—576), while CBU took second at 1-over-par (291-286—577), Portland State third (294-300—594), Seattle U fourth (296-300—596) and UTEP fifth (304-293—597). UVU tied for sixth with Hawaii (601) and finished ahead of Eastern Washington (603), Southern Utah (603), Northern Arizona (607), UC Riverside (616), North Dakota State (622), Montana State (625) and CSU Bakersfield (638).
 
The freshman Taylor led UVU for the first time on the season by tying for 16th to post her first top-20 collegiate finish. After carding a career low 1-over-par 73 on Saturday, Taylor added a 3-over 75 on Sunday to record the 4-over-par 148. Taylor finished with a trio of birdies and 27 pars over the two-round event. 
 
Senior Kaylee Shimizu and sophomore Nathalie Irlbacher were next for UVU by tying for 32nd at 8-over-par (152). Shimizu moved up 17 spots on the leaderboard after carding a final round 2-over-par 74 on Sunday to go along with a 6-over 78 on Saturday, while Irlbacher too posted scores of 74 and 78 on her way to tying for 32nd.
 
Freshman Victoria Estrada and senior Kate Williamson rounded out UVU's field of five for the event by tying for 36th with a pair of 9-over-par 153s. Estrada carded scores of 77 and 76 on her way to tying for 36th, while Williamson recorded a 74 and a 79 at the event.
 
Junior Keila Baladad, who was playing the tournament as an individual, also tied for 36th with a 9-over 153 (75-78), while fellow individual junior Bailey Henley tied for 61st with a 14-over-par 158 (78-80).
 
GCU's Alexis Linam claimed individual medalist honors after finishing the home event with an impressive 6-under-par 138 (68-70). 
 
The GCU Invite was originally scheduled for a 54-hole event but due to rain in the Phoenix area on Saturday, a round of play was lost, and the tournament was shortened to a 36-hole event. 
 
UVU will now return to the state of Utah and will next take part at the BYU at Entrada Classic at Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club on March 9-10 in St. George, Utah.