Women's Golf 4/17/2021 10:00:00 AM

Women's Golf Opens Sun Belt Conference Championship Sunday

ATLANTA – Looking for a sixth conference title and return to NCAA Regional play, the Georgia State women's golf team will open the Sun Belt Conference Championship on Sunday at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Despite a limited 2020-21 schedule that included just spring competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panthers have been building to this moment since the middle of February when they won a dual match with Dayton. Less than three weeks ago the Panthers earned a tie for fourth at the Georgia State Invitational as freshman Mahina Leveau tied for second shooting the fourth lowest three-round score in program history (212).

Leveau leads the team with a 75.46 scoring average including three top 25 finishes and a pair of Top 2 results. Leveau, along with Petra Duran, both have rounds of 67 this spring, tied for the third-lowest rounds in program history.

This will mark the first Sun Belt Conference Championship appearance for head coach Jessica Steward as the event was cancelled last April. Steward is in her second year leading the Panthers.

Championship Course: LPGA International, Par 72, 6,050 Yards (Home of 2007 NCAA Women's Golf National Championship)

Teeing It Up: 11 Sun Belt Conference teams vying for the league's automatic bid to NCAA Regional play

The Schedule: The field will compete Sunday thru Tuesday playing 18 holes each day. Tee times will begin at 8 a.m. each day. The Panthers will play with Georgia Southern and Little Rock on Sunday teeing off at 8:45 p.m., on Hole No. 10.

Who to Watch: Freshman Mahina Leveau has put together an impressive spring season leading the team with a 75.46 scoring average and two Top 2 finishes.

How to Follow: Video streaming will be provided live on ESPN+; Live scoring will be provided via GolfStat.com, while updates can also be found by following the team on Twitter at @GSU_WGolf.

ICYMI: The Panthers are looking for a sixth conference title all-time, though this would be their first Sun Belt Conference championship.

Quotable: "We're really looking forward to this tournament," Steward said. "I like to look at conference championships as a celebration of all we've accomplished and a tribute to all of the hard work we've put in throughout the entire year. Given the nature of this year especially, we've got a lot to be thankful for and a lot to celebrate. We're approaching this event with a new perspective and are excited to finish our regular season on a positive note."

Lineup: (1 to 5): Courtney Lewis, Mahina Leveau, Petra Duran, Kelly Strickland, and Maria Blasco

Field: Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Little Rock, ULM, South Alabama, UT Arlington, Texas State, Troy

Next Up: With a win this week, Georgia State would earn the Sun Belt Conference's automatic bid to NCAA Regional play scheduled for May 10-12 at four locations throughout the country.

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Players Mentioned

Maria Blasco: 5' 7"; Senior

Kelly Strickland: 5' 5"; Senior

Mahina Leveau: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Maria Blasco
: 5' 7"; Senior

Kelly Strickland
: 5' 5"; Senior

Mahina Leveau
: 5' 6"; Sophomore