Composed UNLV earns first women’s golf win since 2006

Missy Ringler’s lip quivered a little, but she made sure to hold her emotions in check.

At all, the least the coach could do was follow the proud example set by her UNLV women’s golf team.

Refusing to wilt, the Rebels held together through the final holes of their Spring Invitational on Wednesday at Boulder Creek Golf Club, giving the program its first victory in nearly three years.

Led by steady junior Natasha Krishna, UNLV posted a three-day total of 20-over-par 884 for a two-stroke victory over Texas Tech in the 18-team tournament. Third-place Georgia Tech finished 10 shots back.

“I think this will really jump-start our spring,” Ringler said.

UNLV hadn’t won a tournament since April 22, 2006, in the Mountain West Conference Championships. Ringler is confident it won’t take her team nearly that long to win its next first-place trophy.

“Before we went out (Wednesday), we talked about playing one shot at a time and each shot was for the team,” she said. “That attitude will carry us a long way.”

Krishna, from New Zealand, gave the Rebels momentum by getting hot on the back nine, making birdies on three of the first four holes. She closed with a 2-under 70 and a 216 total for fourth place, two shots behind co-medalists and Georgia teammates Mallory Hetzel (68-214) and Marta Silva (70-214).

“I’ve been hitting it really well this spring,” Krishna said. “I was frustrated with the way I played on the front. I couldn’t get it close. On the back my irons were working well, and I gave myself a chance.”

UNLV’s top player, sophomore Therese Koelbaek, scrambled for a par round, good for a 222 total. She helped the Rebels hang on by making birdies on three of her last five holes.

Ringler also cited strong play by freshmen Kristin Schelling and Bethany Glassford. Schelling closed with a 2-over 74 for a 227 total, and Glassford, a Coronado High School product, finished with 73-236.

“They were the key. They stayed solid when we needed them to,” Ringler said.

The Rebels’ next stop is Tucson, Ariz., where they will play in the Mountain View Collegiate on March 28 and 29.

“We were becoming a close team,” Krishna said. “This will make us even closer.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.