North Carolina State University team with Rachael Taylor third from the right

 Rachael Taylor, tied fifth, leads NC State to 

NCAA national final

FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY WEBSITE

RALEIGH, North Carolina - For the second year in a row, the North Carolina State University women's golf team is headed to the NCAA Women's Championship national final.

The Wolfpack (+23) surged down the stretch on the final day to claim third place at the NCAA Women's Golf Raleigh Regional at Lonnie Poole Golf Course. 

The top six teams earned a place in the final at Bradenton, Florida later this month.They are: South Carolina, Northwestern, NC State, Alabama, Louisiana State and Campbell.

The Pack entered the day tied with Ohio State for sixth place in the 18-team field. Considering the tourney's top six teams advanced, there was no shortage of drama during the round. NC State battled with OSU, Campbell and Coastal Carolina in the standings for much of the day before pulling away. As a team, the Pack scored even par on a challenging final three holes to surge up the leaderboard. 

Airdrie-born Rachael Taylor, whose dad is a head club pro in Germany,  led the Pack, tying for fifth place in  field of 96 players and shooting a 72 on the final day. Taylor ranked second in the 96-player tournament with 14 birdies. 
She finished with rounds of 69, 75 and 72 for level par 216 over her home course of 6,381yd. 
Winner of the individual title was Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom (Louisiana State) (68-70-70 for eight-under 208.
Sagstrom is almost certain to be a key player in the nine-strong Continent of Europe team for the Vagliano Trophy match against Great Britain and Ireland at Malone Golf Club, Belfast next month.

On the day of her graduation from NC State, Vivian Tsui had one of her best rounds, firing a one-under 71 to finish 22nd overall.

"There were a lot of emotions going on with today being graduation day," Tsui said. "I'm just really happy for this team and playing in nationals will be really great. This team has worked really hard for this and I'm so excited."

Another grad, Lindsay McGetrick (+9), tied for 30th, Stephanie Pribonic (+14) tied for 55th and Cecily Overbey (+18) finished strong with a final-day round of even par 72.

Along with the Wolfpack, South Carolina, Northwestern, Alabama, LSU and Campbell will advance to the national tournament. Madelene Sagstrom (-8) of LSU was the top individual finisher and shot 70 or better in each round.

The Wolfpack will be one of 24 teams playing in the NCAA Women's Golf Championship May 22-27 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. The final three days of the championship will be televised by Golf Channel.

NORTH CAROLINA  STATE SCORING

T5th. Rachael Taylor (69-75-72--216)
T22nd. Vivian Tsui (75-78-71--224)
T30th. Lindsay McGetrick (72-77-76--225)
T55th. Stephanie Pribonic (74-76-80--230)
T72nd. Cecily Overbey (81-81-72--234)