NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas —Tarleton State Women's Golf kicked off its first event of the spring at the Texas State Invitational at the Landa Park Golf Course tying for fifth place.
 
In a field of 15, the Texans finished tied for fifth with fellow WAC member, UT Arlington each shooting a plus-70 (922). The duo finished 13 strokes behind, Abilene Christian who's second place overall finish was the only WAC school better than Tarleton. Utah Valley and UTRGV both finished behind the Texans and Mavericks.
 
"First spring tournament is in the books. Our performance this week showed us what we need to work on to keep on improving during the season," said head coach Isabel Jimenez after the tournament. "I am excited for what's ahead and all the potential we have as a team."
 
Four Texans finished in the top 30 in the first event of the spring. Sofia Rodriguez led the Texans with a top 20 finish tying for 19^th place carding a 79-72-78, a 16 over-par. After ending the first round in the top 10, Lou Deltombe finished in a tie for 24^th place with 73-81-76. Mathilde Brogens finished a stroke behind Deltombe in a tie for 27^th place with a 231.
 
Elle Fox tied for 29^th shooting one stroke behind Brogens with a 232. In her first collegiate tournament, Quedesha Golledge shot a 249 tying for 67^th place.
 
In total, the Texans featured 18 birdies across the three rounds. Fox and Golledge each made five birdies.
 
The host school, Texas State took home the team title by 48 strokes shooting a nine over-par across three rounds of the invitational. Abilene Christian (+57) and Sacred Heart (+57) rounded out the top three team finishers.
 
On the individual side, Texas State's Hailey Jones won the title as the only under-par 54-holes in the tournament with a two-under par. She carded a 70-69-72 on the par 71 course to win the crown. Texas State's Yvonne Chamness took home second place turning in 72-71-73. Central Michigan's Ashley Goh and Abilene Christian's Delaney Martin tied for third shooting five-over par, 218.  Goh carded a 68 on her second round of play, the lowest among all 80 competitors in any of the three rounds.
 
Tarleton will compete in six tournaments in the spring season including the 2024 WAC Champions at the Rim Golf Club in Payson, Ariz. The Texans return to three events that they participated in last season and adventure to two new courses this spring. The Texas State Invitational and the UAB Spring Bash are two events new to the Texan schedule this go around this spring. Returning to the slate from last season are the GCU Invitational, HCU Women's Intercollegiate and the Oral Roberts Spring Invitational.
 
The Texans will have a two week break of competition returning to action at the end of the month on Feb. 27 and 28. The Purple and White will travel west to Phoenix, Ariz. for the two-day GCU Invitational at the GCU Golf Course. Last year, Tarleton finished 11^th of 17 and returner Sofia Rodriguez broke the top 20 individuals with a tied for 19^th place finish.