GREENVILLE, N.C. — The High Point University women's golf team turned in an impressive third round, shooting 13-under-par to secure its third second-place finish of the fall at the Pirate Collegiate Classic on Tuesday afternoon. HPU had two players in the top-5 while three finished in the top-15.

The Panthers (-11) finished five strokes behind host East Carolina (-16) as they bested Louisville (+6), James Madison (+18), App State (+20), Marshall (+27), Jacksonville (+33) and others among the 15-team field.

Freshman Eva Lye (-6) and Makayla Grubb (-5) led the way for High Point as Lye finished T3 for her highest collegiate placement, while Grubb secured her third top-5 finish. The duo earned spots on the All-Tournament Team.

Head Coach Lyndsey Hunnell: "Today was so much fun to watch! I knew we were capable of scores like that, and it was awesome to see it all click there in the final round. We are a deep team where anyone can truly step up and score. This is just the beginning for this group and I'm excited to see more golf like today!"
 
Site: Greenville, N.C.
Course: Greenville, Country Club  
Par/Yardage: 72/5944
 
HPU Top Finisher: Eva Lye (T3)  —  72, 70, 68 (210) -6
HPU Team Finish: 2 of 15 teams — 288, 290, 275 (853) -11
 
Panther Placement:
T3 Eva Lye  -6 (72, 70, 68) 210
T5 Makayla Grubb -5 (69, 72, 70) 211
T12 Anna Howerton E (72, 72, 72) 216
T15 Ella Perna +2 (75, 76, 67) 218
T30 Savannah Cherry +6 (76, 76, 70) 222

Individuals
T15 Peyton Costabile +2 (75, 70, 73) 218
T21 Anais Arafi +3 (75, 72, 72) 219
 
Eva Lye carded her best tournament in Purple & White yet, shooting 6-under-par and saving her best round for last on Tuesday. The freshman's third round 4-under-par 68 carried her to a T3 finish, which signals her best collegiate round and finish. Lye was 3-under on Par 4 holes, while leading the tournament field with 16 birdies.

"I'm so proud of Eva, it all came together for her today," Hunnell said. "She has had many looks at being under par at the start of her rounds and she was able to close the deal these rounds. This is just the beginning for her; she is going to be a big player for us during her career!"

Alike Lye, Makayla Grubb shot even or better in all three rounds as she saw her best round come in round one. The freshman carded a 3-under-par 69 to jumpstart the 36-hole day, and then shot an even round before capping the tournament with a 2-under-par 70 for her third top-5 finish with this one being 5-under. Grubb was second in the tournament with a 2-under on Par 3s, while carding 37 pars and sinking 11 birdies.  

"Makayla is such a strong player," Hunnell said, "and I know she can go even lower! She left a lot of shots out there which is just making her hungry for more."

Anna Howerton finished just outside the top-10, coming in 12th with three even-par 72 rounds. The junior carded nine birdies.

"Anna didn't play how she wanted but her game has come so far that an even par event isn't close to her potential," Hunnell said. "She's been heating up to go low and it's about to click here soon!"

Ella Perna had her best round this fall, shooting 5-under-par 67 to secure her first top-15 finish this season. The senior was shooting low through the third round and really got it going when she sunk a hole out eagle 157 yards from the fairway on the 14th hole with a 5 hybrid. It pushed her up the leaderboard, along with nine birdies, for the T15 placement.

"Ella had an awesome round today; it was so fun to watch her," Hunnell said. "She's been waiting for a low round, and I'm so happy it finally clicked for her. She's always been a key player in the lineup, so it was fun to her back in the mix."

Savannah Cherry played her first tournament in the starting lineup this fall, and saw her best round come in the final round. The sophomore shot a 2-under-par 70 and birded nine holes over the two days.

Competing in her first tournament in Purple & White, transfer Peyton Costabile carded a collegiate low in the second round. In the second half of the 36-hole first day, Costabile played to a 2-under-par 70 where she birdied two holes, and nine total for the tournament, while recording an eagle on hole 13. The second round helped her to a T15 finish.

"Peyton played great this week!" Hunnell said. "It was her collegiate low round and low finish of her career! I didn't get to see much but she's been working hard this semester and it's paying off."

Anais Arafi was the final individual competing as she bounced back from a 3-over-par opening round and carded back-to-back even-par rounds. The sophomore carded 11 birdies and finished T21.
 
Up Next: The Panthers have a couple weeks off before concluding their fall slate at the White Sands Bahamas Tournament in Paradise Island, Bahamas on Friday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 26.