MONROE, La. – Greg Smail from ULM men's golf and Sophie Rufyikiri from tennis haven't been taking their fall seasons lightly as they were on top of their games last week and were named Warhawk Male and Female of the Week, respectively.
Smail was flat-out dominant for at the Cardinal Intercollegiate, capturing his first career individual title by shooting a 211 (-5) over three rounds. The junior saved his best round until the end, carding a 69 (-3) on the final day to come from behind and secure first place.
Smail aided the Warhawks to a second-place showing at the event, finishing above Cincinnati, Austin Peay State and 12 other schools with a team score of 871 (+7) for the tournament. The Musselburgh, Scotland native showed improvement as each round progressed going from a score of 72 to 70 to an impressive 69 during the final 18 holes.
The men's team will be back in action next weekend when they compete at Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, La., on Monday andTuesday.
Rufyikiri posted three singles and three doubles wins at the HEB/Under Armour Fall Invite over the weekend. The lone senior started strong with two singles victories over South Alabama players as she defeated Monica Mitta 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 and Emily Newton 6-3, 6-0. She then added a win over No. 37 Ohio State's Grainne O'Neill on Sunday to finish the tournament
Rufyikiri and Petra Horakova dominated their doubles matches as well. On Friday, the duo posted an 8-6 win over No. 53 TCU's Palina Dubavets and Alexis Pereira. Rufyikiri and Horakova continued to display their talent throughout the tournament as they topped Maxine Schmidt and Erkeeva (SMU) 8-2, and then defeated No. 37 Ohio State's Anna Sanford and Olivia Sneed 8-5.
Her performance followed the Eagles Nest Invitational where she won three of three singles matches as well as both doubles matches played.
It marks the second career Warhawk of the Week award for Rufyikiri as she picked up the honor during the same week last year on Oct. 8, 2013.
Support the Warhawks through participating in the Athletic Foundation, you can join the ULMAF by calling 318-342-5415.
Fall 2014 Warhawk of the Week Archive
Sept. 2: Male: Mitch Lane (Football); Female: Marcela Araya (Volleyball)
Sept. 9: Male: Ajalen Holley (Football); Female: Karlea Fehr (Soccer)
Sept. 16: Male: Dusan Makevic (XC); Female: Taylor Zaeske (Volleyball)
Sept. 23: Male: Calum Hill (M. Golf); Female: Jenna Pillon (Soccer)
Sept. 30: Male: Justin Manton (Football); Female: Ines Fendt (W. Golf)
Oct. 7: Male: Greg Smail (M. Golf); Female: Sophie Rufyikiri (Tennis)
2013-14 Warhawk of the Week Archive
