OPELIKA, Alabama – Cal improved for the second straight day at the NCAA Auburn Regional, but it wasn't enough as they finished in 12th place to wrap up the 2018-19 season. The Bears shot an eight-over 296 as a team, marking a four-shot improvement from Tuesday's round.
 
As the Bears have become more familiar with the course at Saugahatchee Country Club, they've been able to better their score, improving by four shots every day. However, the Bears dug themselves too big a deficit on the first day. Cal finished in front of no. 27 Clemson and no. 35 Kennesaw State, but played to their seed as they entered as the 12th seed in the region.
 
The Bears finished the day strong as they recorded five of their 13 birdies over the final four holes as both Elena Arias and Cindy Oh climbed double-digits spots on the leaderboard on the final day.
 
"I was pleased with how we finished the last few holes; they did not give up," head coach Nancy McDaniel said. "They just kept at it and that's all you can ask for. I'm proud of our players for juggling all they have to do in the classroom with finals coming up while also earning their way to the NCAA Regionals. There are so many good teams in women's golf and it is very tough to qualify every year."
 
The Bears improved throughout the tournament. They shot a 304 on the first day followed by a 300 on the second day. The final round was a 296 as the Bears were one shot better per scorer per day.
 
"Every time you play this course, you feel a little more comfortable," McDaniel said. "It's not a course that lays out in front of you, so the more you play it the more you know what's over the next hill; that comfort will allow you to hit the shots you really want. We were evidence of that as we improved every round. The players were talking differently on the course today; they had more course knowledge. It can be a real disadvantage if you haven't played the course, which is unlike almost any other sport."
 
The future looks bright for the Bears as their top two finishers were both freshmen. Arias completed her first NCAA Regional in a tie for 28th place as she shot par across the 18 holes. She finished the tournament five-over 221 as she climbed 10 spots on the leaderboard on the final day. Arias carded three birdies, including two over her last two holes to finish her freshman campaign on a high note.
 
"Elena was ready from the first tee today," head coach Nancy McDaniel said. "She was hitting shots that the course called for. Her skills on the putting green were sharp, which was important on this course. She finished the tournament with two birdies, which is the kind of tenacity that you need at a NCAA Regional Championship."
 
Arias was joined on the top of the Bears' scorecard by fellow freshman Katherine Zhu. Zhu finished two-over 74 on the day and was seven shots over par for the 54-hole tournament. Zhu notched three birdies to finish her season with the school record for lowest scoring average by a freshman at 73.58. That mark passed teammate Marianne Li's 2015-16 mark of 74.03. Zhu had eight straight top-25 finishes this year and two top-five finishes as she recorded one of the best freshman seasons in school history.  
 
"Katherine had a really standout freshman season," McDaniel said. "We see her getting curious about her game and wanting to get better. It's a really good start to a career that has tons of potential and we can't wait to see what she does over the next three years."
 
Maria Herraez Galvez finished with a five-over 77 on the final day. She started strong with a birdie on the tenth hole and was even through the first eight holes, but she was unable to keep the momentum going on the back nine.
 
Cindy Oh was one of the day's big movers as he climbed 12 spots up the standings thanks to a one-over 73. She recorded two birdies over the final four holes to complete her best round of the tournament. She finished in a tie for 62nd place. Li wrapped up the tournament with a seven-over 79 to finish in 93rd place. This was the final tournament for both Oh and Li as both will graduate this spring alongside teammate Amina Wolf.
 
"We're going to miss Marianne, Cindy and Amina," McDaniel said. "They are consummate student-athletes and really first-class young women. I am really proud to say they are Bears. They'll be welcomed back anytime and remembered in our program for the contributions they have made for many years to come."
 
The Bears 12th-place finish means they will not advance to the NCAA Championship and brings the 2018-19 season to a close. Overall, Cal posted five top-two finishes and won the inaugural Big Match in a memorable season which saw the team make their 20th straight NCAA Regionals appearance. They also tallied six top-five finishes and 13 top-10 finishes this year amidst a staggering 36 rounds at par or under.  
 
TEAM
12. California, 304+300+296=900 (+36)
 
INDIVIDUAL
T28. Elena Arias, 75+74+72=221 (+5)
T41. Katherine Zhu, 74+75+74=223 (+7)
T62. Maria Herraez Galvez, 75+76+77=228 (+12)
T62. Cindy Oh, 80+75+73=228 (+12)
93. Marianne Li, 84+80+79=243 (+27)