Oct. 15, 2000

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- North Carolina's women's golf team finished in ninth place with a 940 total at the Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships. Duke continued its dominance this season, topping the field of 15 teams with a 890 total. Tennessee finished ten shots back in second place at 900, while Northwestern finished the weekend in third place with a final team score of 903. Knotted at fourth place, Purdue and Louisiana State finished tied at 920.

Freshman Vira Nirapathpongporn of Duke captured the individual title with a three day total of one-under-par 215 after firing a final round three-under-par 69. Young-A Yang of Tennessee finished two shots back with a total of one-over-par 217, while Duke's Candy Hannemann finished the weekend in third place after a three-day-total of five-over-par 221. Christie Hermes of Northwestern and Meredith Duncan of LSU round out the top five tied at six-over-par 222.

Abby Spector led the Tar Heels with a 13-over-par 229 finishing tied for 15th place. Senior Shelley McKevitt finished tied for 34th place with a final total of 19-over-par 235, while Ashley Prange finished the weekend tied for 41st place with a total of 22-over-par 238. Beth Lever ended the weekend tied for 61st place at 31-over-par 247, while Heather Angell finished tied for 62nd place after a three-day-total of 32-over-par 248.

The 54-hole event was played at Gettysvue Polo, Golf, & Country Club, which features a par 72, 5,958 layout.

FINAL TEAM SCORES (54 HOLES)