The nationally 44th-ranked Georgia State women's golf team carded a second round 310 (+22)to drop into a tie for 16th with one round remaining at the 2010 NCAA East Regional on the par-72 6,321 yard Ironwood Country Club in Greenville, N.C. Friday.
Junior Iliska Verwey duplicated her strong performance from the opening round, firing her second-consecutive under-par round, this time a 71 (-1), to finish the day with a share of seventh.
"Both Iliska and Charlotte [Lorentzen] have opportunities to qualify as individuals," said Georgia State head coach Cathy Mant. "We don't have much chance, with our multiple injuries, to qualify as a team, but that's just the reality. It's sad, but that's the way things worked out."
"I really believe both of them could qualify for nationals, and that's our next goal. They have both hit the ball beautifully, very consistent, and just not making anything yet. I think that there's a really strong possibility they could go low again tomorrow and earn a spot."
Thursday represented a return to form for the Cradock, South Africa native as she posted her first under-par round since fall 2008, but Friday's second-straight under-par round marks the first time in her collegiate career that she has pulled the feat. In fact, her performance at the 2008 U. of Cincinnati Fall Classic, which earned her Golfweek's National Player of the Week honors, represents the only other time she has posted two under-par rounds in a single collegiate event.
Saturday, Verwey will have a chance to post Georgia State's lowest individual three-round total at an NCAA Regional if she can manage a 78 or better. Additionally, the best individual finish in school history at an NCAA Regional is a tie for sixth, set by Joanna Klatten in 2006.
The top two individuals not on one of the eight qualifying teams will advance to the NCAA Championship. At the end of Verwey's round, she sat in a tie for seventh, one shot back of East Tennessee State's Nina Muehl, the final would-be individual qualifier. Verwey would be the second Panther in school history, behind Klatten four years ago, to qualify for the national championship.
Sophomore Charlotte Lorentzen fell into a tie for 21st with her second round 74 (+2). Lorentzen held a share of 10th heading into the day.
Last year, the Soroe, Denmark native made her NCAA Regional debut in style with a 20th place, and will have a chance tomorrow to better that personal record. Lorentzen is four shots back of Nina Muehl, and still in the hunt for an individual berth.
Aside from East Tennessee State's Nina Muehl, Rosalyn Kim of Texas Tech has posted a 139 (-5) through two rounds. The Red Raiders are currently tied for ninth, two shots back of qualifying as a team. If Texas Tech can move into the top-eight tomorrow, Kim would give up her individual spot to, potentially, Verwey or Lorentzen.
Senior Cathrine Madsen posted a second round 80 (+8) to climb into a tie for 83rd. Senior Sandra Maier, currently battling shoulder tendinitis, carded an 85 (+13) to remain in a tie for 115th.
Freshman Ellie Robinson was forced to withdraw today due to her wrist injury. Georgia State sports medicine staff is monitoring her progress and is unsure whether she will play Saturday or not.
"It was a tough day today, a really tough day for the team," said Mant. "Ellie started out and made it for only four holes. She was having trouble with her wrist on the practice range, and it was too much to go all day."
"Sandra's arm is still bothering her too. They started with appointments at 5:30 in the morning to try her have her ready for the 8 a.m. tee time. And, even Iliska (Verwey) was getting her back worked on. He [Team Trainer John Anderson]'s doing everything he can to make it work for us. Sandy says she thinks she can go, even though not near at her normal level, so hopefully we'll at least be able to post a team score Saturday. We're going to make decisions Saturday morning based on how everyone feels."
Duke leads the East Regional by two shots, firing a 568 (-8) through 36 holes. Duke's Kim Donovan, Pepperdine's Danielle Kang, South Carolina's Katie Burnett, and Texas Tech's Rosalyn Kim share the lead in a four-way tie at five-under par.
Georgia State is 19 now shots back of the final potential qualifier, Florida, heading into the final round.
Saturday will mark the final round of the NCAA East Regional, with play beginning at 8 a.m.
Live scoring of this Regional and the two others is available at www.GolfStat.com. Full results and details will be posted to www.GeorgiaStateSports.com when play concludes for the day.
T7. Iliska Verwey 70-71-141 (-3)
T21. Charlotte Lorentzen 70-74-144 (E)
T83. Cathrine Madsen 73-80-153 (+9)
T115. Sandra Maier 81-85-166 (+22)
122. Ellie Robinson 77-Withdrew round two-
1. Duke 290-278--568 (-8)
2. Tennessee 283-287--570 (-6)
3. Pepperdine 281-290--571 (-5)
4. South Carolina 283-291--574 (-2)
5. Auburn 280-295--575 (-1)
6. Vanderbilt 292-287--579 (+3)
7. Tulane 285-295--580 (+4)
8. Florida 284-297--581 (+5)
T9. TCU 287-296--583 (+7)
T9. Texas Tech 285-298--583 (+7)
11. North Carolina 294-292--586 (+10)
12. East Tennessee State 285-304--589 (+13)
13. Wake Forest 296-295--591 (+15)
14. Chattanooga 293-301--594 (+18)
15. East Carolina 293-305--598 (+22)
T16. Georgia State 290-310--600 (+24)
T16. Washington 305-295--600 (+24)
18. Furman 305-296--601 (+25)
19. Coastal Carolina 307-296--603 (+27)
T20. Campbell 297-307--604 (+28)
T20. Stetson 298-306--604 (+28)
22. College of Charleston 297-310--607 (+31)
23. Charleston Southern 315-318--633 (+57)
24. Fairleigh Dickinson 327-331--658 (+82)
