FRIPP ISLAND, S.C. — It was a moment so incredible to witness, where anyone who was in attendance would probably say, "You just had to be there."
Through 38 holes, two matches and a sudden-death playoff, top-seeded High Point University's
Anais Arafi clinched a 3-2 victory over second-seeded UNC Asheville in the Big South Conference match play finals on Wednesday to crown the HPU women's golf team as champions for the first time in program history.
Head Coach Lyndsey Hunnell: "I knew from the start of the year this team was special and capable of doing great things. They've worked all season for this moment, and from our very first team meeting, winning a conference championship was the goal. I'm so proud and honored to be their coach and to watch their hard work pay off. This is a day our program will never forget. Anaïs was exactly who we needed in that moment. She's one of the hardest workers on this team, and she showed it when it mattered most. Her composure in that playoff was incredible; she never gave anything away. I couldn't be more proud of the way she handled it. That's a moment she's earned."
Site: Fripp Island, S.C.
Course: Ocean Creek Golf Course – Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort
Par/Yardage: 72/6032
Match Play Final
#1 High Point defeats #2 UNC Asheville, 3-2
Order of finish:
Match 1 – Caroline Patterson (AVL) defeats
Ella Perna (HPU), 4&3 (AVL leads 1-0)
Match 5 –
Makayla Grubb (HPU) defeats Lauren Madson (AVL), 8&7 (tied 1-1)
Match 2 – Pennie Osterberg (AVL) defeats
Anna Howerton (HPU), 2&1 (AVL leads 2-1)
Match 3 –
Eva Lye (HPU) defeats Jordyn Arts (AVL), 1UP (tied 2-2)
Match 4 – Anaïs Arafi (HPU) defeats Breanna Hoese (AVL), 22 holes (HPU wins 3-2)*
*Clinch
How the Panthers Made History
On her 38th hole of the day with sunset approaching, Arafi never wavered.
The sophomore was the lone Panther standing — following match wins from
Makayla Grubb (8&7) and
Eva Lye (1UP) — which put all eyes on Arafi to make history. And that it was as Arafi was down or tied for 21 holes until she had the last say on the Par 4, hole No. 4.
The lucky No. 22 hole came full circle when she was presented with the same shot she had earlier in the day — a tee shot to the right of the green and 40-plus yards from the pin — but this time it was perfect.
"I had the same shot this morning and I didn't do quite well, so I had some extra pressure," Arafi said. "But I just tried to do my best. I had like 40 yards, so I hit my 58 and I put it six-feet to the flag and I was really happy about that."
Arafi chipped the ball onto the green 40 yards out, and then proceeded to sink the birdie as her team stormed the green and the conference office presented High Point the trophy for the first time in program history.
It was a moment Arafi, the Panthers, and everyone in attendance will never forget.
"I don't even have the words to describe that," Arafi said. "I didn't want to let my team down, so I just fought until the end. It was just an amazing feeling to win and finally go to regionals with my team. I just love them. Everyone played really good, so I'm really proud of everyone. It is my second year at High Point, and I wouldn't have done it differently. I love High Point. We are all like a big family, and I am just so grateful to have these people in my life. It means a lot."
Match Play Semifinal
#1 High Point defeats #4 Charleston Southern, 3-0
Order of finish:
Match 1 –
Eva Lye (HPU) defeats Summer Griffiths (CSU), 4&3 (HPU leads 1-0)
Match 2 – Anaïs Arafi (HPU) defeats Chayse Cool (CSU), 3&2 (HPU leads 2-0)
Match 4 –
Anna Howerton (HPU) vs. IY Ibnu (CSU), 3&2 (HPU wins 3-0)*
Match 3 – Katie Stephens (CSU) vs.
Ella Perna (HPU), 1UP thru 17, unfinished
Match 5 –
Makayla Grubb (HPU) vs. Eugenie Varet (CSU), 1UP thru 15, unfinished
*Clinch
The Panthers cruised to a 3-0 semifinal victory over Charleston Southern to jumpstart the championship day. It was the first time HPU advanced to the match play finals since Hunnell's first year at the helm in 2023.
Anna Howerton (3&2) clinched the match on hole 16 as she sunk the birdie and solidified the semifinal victory. Lye (4&3) and Arafi (3&2) won the other two semifinal matches to lead the Panthers with two match wins apiece.
Up Next
High Point receives an automatic team bid to the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Regionals, which will be played May 11-13, and now awaits its playing site for when it is announced during the NCAA Selection Show on the Golf Channel that will be aired on Wednesday, April 29 at 5 p.m.
#GoHPU
