SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Pepperdine women's golf team qualified for the NCAA finals after firing off a 6-under 282 in the third round to take a share of the NCAA San Antonio Regional title on Wednesday. 
 
The Waves posted a 9-over 873 (299-292-282) through three rounds at the par-72 TPC San Antonio to tie for first, leading the two teams tied for third by seven strokes.  The finish tied the program's best-ever, a feat that was also accomplished at the 2002 NCAA Stanford Regional.  
 
Pepperdine began the day in fourth place and 10 strokes behind the leader after the first two rounds.  The squad had stayed close to even after the first half of the final round, but the Waves played solid golf down the stretch with 12 collective birdies and three players below par to overtake the competition. 
 
The top five teams advanced, and the Waves did so comfortably, winding up 20 shots better than sixth-place Auburn.  SMU also shot 9-over to take a share of the title as well, while Oklahoma State and Texas A&M tied for third and New Mexico finished fifth. 
 
Pepperdine has advanced to the NCAA finals for the 13^th time in program history.
 
QUOTABLE
"The players were ready to compete, having played in four tournaments in the five weeks prior to Regionals," said head coach Laurie Gibbs.  "They have really worked hard on their games while finishing finals two weeks ago, and despite seven tournaments this Spring, their GPA's were higher.
 
"Coach Rich and I are very proud of the player's dedication to improving.  Winning for the sixth time this season is awesome!  We are very fortunate for the unlimited support of Director of Athletics Steve Potts, President Jim Gash, the Athletic Department, the Administration and all the donors that provide everything the team needs to compete at a high level.
 
"All five players contribute to our wins at Regionals and the WCC. We are excited to compete at the NCAA Championship next week."
 
PLAYER SCORES

• Senior Reese Guzman (Kahului, Hawai'i) led the Waves from the beginning, finishing with a score of 216 (73-73-70) to tie for sixth.  She had four birdies in the final round, including three on nine flawless final holes. 
• Junior Lion Higo (Gold Coast, Australia) jumped up 19 spots with a 6-under 68 in the final round today, posting a three-round score of 217 (75-74-68).  She had 11 birdies throughout the tournament, including six in the third round, with three in her final nine bogeyless holes.
• Freshman Jeneath Wong (Melbourne, Australia) tied for 20^th after posting a 222 (77-71-74).  She posted nine birdies through three rounds with three today.
• Junior Kaleiya Romero (San Jose, Calif.) also tied for 20^th with a 222 (74-77-71).  She rallied from yesterday's round to shoot 1-under today with four birdies. 
• Sophomore Lauren Gomez (Murrieta, Calif.) tied for 25^th with a three-day final of 224 (77-74-73).  She stayed pretty true to par in the final round, finishing the tournament with a birdie on the 18^th. 

UP NEXT
The NCAA Championships are set for May 19-24 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
 
THE NUMBERS
Team Standings: T1. Pepperdine 873; T1. SMU 873; T3. Oklahoma State 880; T3. Texas A&M 880; 5. New Mexico 889; 6. Auburn 893; 7. Denver 897; 8. UCLA 900; 9. Sam Houston 906; 10. ULM 912; 11. Illinois 920; 12. Missouri State 958.
 
Individual Leaders: 1. Camryn Carreon (UTSA) 206; 2. Zoe Campos (UCLA) 212; T3. Mackenzie Lee (SMU) 214; T3. Clemence Martin (Oklahoma State) 214; 5. Rina Tatematsu (Oklahoma State) 215; T6. Michelle Zhang (SMU) 216; T6. Reese Guzman (Pepperdine) 216; T8. Lion Higo (Pepperdine) 217; T8. Jennifer Herbst (Sam Houston) 217; 10. Allysha Mae Mateo (BYU) 218.