WATERLOO, Ill. — Missouri State led wire-to-wire and claimed its first Missouri Valley Conference women’s golf championship since 2018 here Tuesday.
The Bears shot 313 over the tournament’s final 18 holes to wrap up their fifth MVC title and distance themselves by nine strokes from the rest of the field. Tuesday’s round came on the heels of identical 315 rounds on Sunday and Monday to set a blistering pace for the 12-team field.
MoState (315-315-313–943) held off Evansville (328-312-312–952), Belmont (322-315-315–952) and Murray State (325-314-314–953).
Evansville’s Kate Petrova (80-75-76–231) earned medalist honors after winning a playoff against Kristen Giles of Drake and Payton Carter of Murray State.
Missouri State’s Abby Cavaiaini (79-77-76–232) was one stroke behind the leaders to tie for fourth, while Kayla Pfitzner (77-79-80–236) was also in the top 10 for the Bears, tying for ninth. The standout Bears’ tandem was also named to the All-MVC team with Cavaiani claiming MVC All-Tournament distinction.
Missouri State’s Kevin Kane earned MVC Coach of the Year for the seventh time in his career, more than any MVC women’s golf coach in league history.
The Bears now will await their postseason destination for the NCAA Regional Round, May 8-10, at one of six potential sites.
