Golf: Pioneer holds off Skyline to win SEC title for second straight year

It began as a two-team race but only one would reach the finish line as league champions. Skyline came into Thursday’s SEC Tournament with just one conference loss – to undefeated Pioneer.

The Pioneers held serve and held off the Eagles to win the SEC Red Division title at the league tournament at windy and wet Rustic Glen Golf Course.

“Not our best, but still very happy with the results,” said Pioneer coach Bill Lyle. “We played in tough, windy, wet conditions. But happy to go undefeated now for the second year in a row.”

The Pioneers fired a team score of 338 to finish atop the SEC scorecard. Skyline fired a 391 to finish second. Bedford was third with a 410 followed by Saline (419), Huron (441) and Monroe (447).

Amaya Melendez continued her impressive season for Pioneer. The senior fired an 80 to finish atop her team’s scorecard. Sophomore Alysa Zhu fired an 84 while  sophomore Mackenzie Rooney and senior Jillian Giordano both shot an 87. Freshman Alex Ellender had a 95 and junior Hayley Marchand shot a 98.

Skyline junior Adie Maki had the best individual score of the day with her 78 to lead the Eagles. Freshman Reva Patchava shot a 102, junior Lia Tomilo had a 104, senior Grace Hescheles shot a 107, junior Riya Patchava carded a 108 and junior Lucy Stoy shot a 113.

Huron was led by junior Lydia Miteza with a 102. Freshman Aida Baidel had a 107, junior Victoria Underwood had a 116, sophomore Aico Miao carded a 116 and sophomore Varvara Bashkirova shot a 119.

Melendez, Rooney, Giordano and Ellender made First Team All-SEC for Pioneer. The team is based on points accumulated throughout the season. This was Melendez’s fourth time on the First Team.

Skyline’s Maki and Riya Patchava also were named to the SEC First Team.