Illamola Leads ART U At PacWest Tourney, Knights In Third

2025 Pacific West Conference Championship (Day 1)

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nevada – In the opening round of the Pacific West Conference Tournament, Academy of Art women's golf came out in third place overall among the 10 team field, totaling a 13-over-par 301 in the process at the Aliante Golf Club on Monday.

One of four golfers to hit under par in the first round, freshman Meri Illamola led the Urban Knights with her season-best 1-under-par 71, and is tied for third place just two strokes behind the leader. Also ranking in the top 20, junior Nicole Yang finished the round in 17th place with a 4-over-par 76 while freshman Isabella Christy and freshman Jannel Calixterio were next up with a 5-over-par 77 apiece. Rounding out the squad was sophomore Chantel Tsai, who was one stroke behind the freshman duo with her 6-over-par 78.

Ahead of the field through the first day of action was Hawaii Pacific, who were five strokes ahead of next-best No. 30 Biola. Two more strokes back, ART U slides into their third place rank as the squad put together a 13-over-par 301. On the individual leaderboard, Rori Fanning of Menlo leads the pack with her 3-under-par 69, ahead of Rachel Shaw of Biola by just a stroke. Illamola shares her third place ranking with Kami Kwong to finish off the under-par quartet.

ART U will battle in the second round tomorrow morning, as the women's tournament starts off at 9:50 a.m.

Players Mentioned

Chantel Tsai: 5' 1"; Sophomore

Nicole Yang: 5' 4"; Junior

Meri Illamola: 5' 3"; Freshman

Jannel Calixterio: 5' 1"; Freshman

Isabella Christy: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Chantel Tsai
: 5' 1"; Sophomore

Nicole Yang
: 5' 4"; Junior

Meri Illamola
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Jannel Calixterio
: 5' 1"; Freshman

Isabella Christy
: 5' 5"; Freshman