OTTAWA LAKE, Mich. - Saint Mary's College Golf earned their third straight MIAA Championship this weekend after shooting a 606 as a team, 307-299. The 299 was the lowest team score for the Belles this season while the team sets a program record for a 36-hole score with their 606.
 
Senior Amanda Melling (East Lansing, MI) led the team as the tournament champion, shooting a one-over 145 after carding rounds of 72-73 on the weekend. Melling tallied six birdies on the tournament, adding three in each round. After getting out to a two-over par score in round one, Melling got hot across her final nine holes, adding her three birdies to finish her second nine two-under par. The script was similar in round two, this time she added three birdies across her final 15 holes, while birdieing her final hole of the tournament, along with 11 pars.
 
Senior Julia Lizak (Riverview, MI) followed closely behind her classmate, finishing solo second after shooting a three-over 147, carding rounds of 75-72. On the brisk final round Saturday, Lizak's even par score would be the lowest shot by any competitor on the day. Lizak added an impressive eight birdies on her weekend, tallying four in each round. She got out to a hot start on day one, getting out to three-under par in her first five holes. After a steady start on day two, she found herself with a two-under par score throughout her final 14 holes including adding three-straight birdies on holes eight, nine, and ten.
 
Sophomore Melanie Maier (Richmond, TX) joined the seniors with a top-five finish, finishing T4 after shooting 152 and carding 76-76 on the weekend. Maier had a very steady weekend for the Belles, tallying a birdie each day while adding 25 pars across the 36 hole event. Junior Colleen Hand (Royal Oak, MI) finished out the scorers for the Belles as she finished T18 after a 162 and shooting rounds of 84-78. Hand's 78 on day two ties the lowest round of the season for the junior and is her best round of spring.
 
Sophomore Ella Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) was the final competitor for Saint Mary's, finishing T27 after shooting a 167 with rounds of 85-82. Notaro's second round 82 ties the lowest round of the season and lowest of her collegiate career. Freshman Kate Plessinger (Columbus, OH) competed as an individual for the Belles, finishing T33 after shooting a 169 with rounds of 83-86. Plessinger added a birdie on her second hole of the first round, the par-four 18th.
 
After the final round, Melling and Maier were honored with All-MIAA First Team honors after finishing in the top six of all MIAA competitors following the six conference rounds. Maier finished the conference season with a 75.67 scoring average while Melling finished with a 77.17 scoring average in MIAA competition.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's will prepare for their third consecutive NCAA Division III National Championships appearance, beginning on May 19th through the 23rd. This year's National Championships will be held at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, California.