Oct. 9, 2005

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Virginia women's golf team finished fifth at the Lady Tar Heel Invitational on Sunday.

Top-ranked Duke fired a nine-under 279 in the final round to claim the team championship from the field of 18 with a three-under 861. Following by 21 strokes, Auburn was second with an 882 (+18). Vanderbilt took third with a 893 (+29). The Cavaliers fired their best round- a 297- on the final day for a 900 (+36) total.

Texas A&M's Ashley Knoll captured medalist honors with a 10-under 206. Duke's Anna Grzebien was second with a two-under 214, while teammate Amanda Blumenherst and Vandy's Chris Brady tied for third with a one-under 215 each.

Sophomore Lauren Mielbrecht (Gulf Stream, Fla.) fired a one-under 71 to tie for eighth with a 219 (+3). Junior Leah Wigger (Louisville, Ky.) took 10th with a 220 (+4), while freshman Carly Truitt (Marysville, Ohio) tied for 20th with a 265 (+9) after shooting a career-low 73 in the final round. Junior Rachel Smith (Powell, Tenn.) shot a 237 (+21), and junior Lindsay Robinson (Huntington, W.Va.) rounded out the UVa scoring with a 245 (+29).

Virginia will participate in the Landfall Tradition on Oct. 28-30 in Wilmington, N.C.

TOP INDIVIDUALS 1. Ashley Knoll, Texas A&M 71-65-70-206 (-10) 2. Anna Grzebien, Duke 70-75-69-214 (-2) 3. Amanda Blumenherst, Duke 72-72-71-215 (-1) Chris Brady, Vanderbilt 72-71-72-215 (-1)

VIRGINIA PLAYERS t8. Lauren Mielbrecht 72-76-71-219 (+3) 10. Leah Wigger 70-74-76-220 (+4) t20. Carly Truitt 75-77-73-225 (+9) t66. Rachel Smith 83-76-78-237 (+21) t89. Lindsay Robinson 84-84-77-245 (+29)