Central Michigan University Athletics
Tuesday, February 4
Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Central Michigan University
vs
MAC Match Play
Photo by: Benjamin Suddendorf
Chippewas Victorious In Match-Play Finale
2/4/2020 5:03:00 PM | Women's Golf
Vartyan, Laude finish 2-1 in MAC Match Play Challenge
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – The Central Michigan golf team closed the spring-season-opening Mid-American Conference Match Play Challenge with a victory on Tuesday on the Royal Lakes course at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.
The Chippewas, who dropped their two matches on Monday, rebounded to defeat Western Illinois. CMU won two matches, the Leathernecks won two, and one match ended all square. The Chippewas won on the tiebreaker, most points. They had five to Western Illinois' two.
"It was definitely a grind," CMU coach Jim Earle said. "It came down to the wire. Playing the match today was just as important as playing that first match (on Monday). I think we had a little to prove.
"We're a very young team, I can't stress that enough. Every experience we get is going to make us stronger as a team."
CMU's Jami Laude posted a 1-up win over Katie Tanner and Claudia Salvador won, 4-and-3, over Natalie Hooper to give the Chippewas five total points.
Western Illinois' Emily Marrs defeated Padgett Chitty and Cassidy Jurkaites downed Meghan Deardorff. Both matches finished 1-up, giving the Leathernecks their two points.
CMU's Zoe Vartyan and Abbie Gault finished all square.
Though Chitty and Deardorff lost their respective matches, it was critical that they kept it close.
"Meghan was 3-down with three holes to go and took it to the 18th," Earle said. "Padgett was 3-down with four to go and took it to the last hole.
"There was no quit in those kids. Even though Padgett and Meghan lost all three of their matches (in the tournament) they played some good golf. Proud of both of their performances."
Both Salvador and Laude won two of their three matches in the tournament, while Vartyan went 1-1-1.
Salvador "made real short work of her opponent today," Earle said. "She did not miss a green in the 14 holes that she played and was 2-under par. She beat a girl who was playing really good golf.
"I think she felt like she felt like she could have won that first match (Monday against Purdue Fort Wayne). She got her feet wet and never looked back. She was pretty tough."
Laude's performance was particularly encouraging in light of the fact that she missed three of the Chippewas' five fall tournaments with an injury.
"Jami went 2-1 on the week, which is great," Earle said. "She's healthy, she feels good. It was a big question mark for us and she's definitely feeling good about herself health wise and building a little bit of confidence going into our next event.
"Jami is a very good spring golfer. I think she's just a gritty, hard-nosed kid. I think she plays well in tough conditions."
The Chippewas are scheduled to play in the Rio Verde Invitational in Rio Verde, Ariz. Feb. 21-23.
The Chippewas, who dropped their two matches on Monday, rebounded to defeat Western Illinois. CMU won two matches, the Leathernecks won two, and one match ended all square. The Chippewas won on the tiebreaker, most points. They had five to Western Illinois' two.
"It was definitely a grind," CMU coach Jim Earle said. "It came down to the wire. Playing the match today was just as important as playing that first match (on Monday). I think we had a little to prove.
"We're a very young team, I can't stress that enough. Every experience we get is going to make us stronger as a team."
CMU's Jami Laude posted a 1-up win over Katie Tanner and Claudia Salvador won, 4-and-3, over Natalie Hooper to give the Chippewas five total points.
Western Illinois' Emily Marrs defeated Padgett Chitty and Cassidy Jurkaites downed Meghan Deardorff. Both matches finished 1-up, giving the Leathernecks their two points.
CMU's Zoe Vartyan and Abbie Gault finished all square.
Though Chitty and Deardorff lost their respective matches, it was critical that they kept it close.
"Meghan was 3-down with three holes to go and took it to the 18th," Earle said. "Padgett was 3-down with four to go and took it to the last hole.
"There was no quit in those kids. Even though Padgett and Meghan lost all three of their matches (in the tournament) they played some good golf. Proud of both of their performances."
Both Salvador and Laude won two of their three matches in the tournament, while Vartyan went 1-1-1.
Salvador "made real short work of her opponent today," Earle said. "She did not miss a green in the 14 holes that she played and was 2-under par. She beat a girl who was playing really good golf.
"I think she felt like she felt like she could have won that first match (Monday against Purdue Fort Wayne). She got her feet wet and never looked back. She was pretty tough."
Laude's performance was particularly encouraging in light of the fact that she missed three of the Chippewas' five fall tournaments with an injury.
"Jami went 2-1 on the week, which is great," Earle said. "She's healthy, she feels good. It was a big question mark for us and she's definitely feeling good about herself health wise and building a little bit of confidence going into our next event.
"Jami is a very good spring golfer. I think she's just a gritty, hard-nosed kid. I think she plays well in tough conditions."
The Chippewas are scheduled to play in the Rio Verde Invitational in Rio Verde, Ariz. Feb. 21-23.
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