<PERRY, Ga. (March 28, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women’s golf team wrapped up the first two rounds of the Houston Lake Invitational hosted by Mercer. The Lions are currently in fourth place, sitting at 41-over par with one round left to play.
Junior Ava Schwartz was a standout, improving from a first-round 79 to a second-round 71. She achieved this by hitting three birdies on holes 2, 16, and 18 and avoiding bogeys for most of the round. Schwartz’s 71 marks her best score to date in college, topping her previous season low of 73 from the Huntsville.org Intercollegiate.
Sophomore Sirichaya Chanpen is also performing well, tied for eighth with scores of 77 and 75 across two rounds. She’s made five birdies so far, showcasing her talent and consistency. Freshman Kiersten Riggins sits tied for 14th, having scored 77 in the first round and 78 in the second, while redshirt junior Kerigan Klauber and sophomore Olivia Whittle are tied for 21st at 18-over par.
Interestingly, like their previous tournament in Nashville, the par-4 holes are where UNA has excelled. Their average score was 4.19, ranking them second-best in the field behind East Tennessee State.
As for the standings, ETSU leads the tournament at eight-over, well ahead of Mercer in second place by 16 strokes. Belmont trails Mercer by just one stroke, putting pressure on them. The Lions have a solid lead of 55 strokes over Bethune-Cookman in fifth place.
ETSU’s Arisa Piyamanit is currently the player to watch, leading the field at seven-under and achieving an impressive 66 in the second round.
The Lions will return to the course tomorrow at 8 a.m. CT, starting on hole one and holes 15-18. Schwartz will tee off alongside an individual from Belmont, while Klauber plays with Bethune-Cookman’s Sanai Lambert.
To view the interactive leaderboard, click here.
In recent discussions, experts have pointed out that maintaining a resilient mindset is key to success in golf. Coach Mike Williams emphasizes the importance of mental toughness in competitions, especially after a challenging first round.
According to a survey conducted by Sports Analytics, 92% of collegiate athletes believe that a strong mental game can significantly impact performance. This highlights the mental aspect of sports that often goes unnoticed.
For more about North Alabama Athletics, visit roarlions.com and follow them on social media for updates.
