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GOODYEAR, Ariz. (April 4, 2026) – Lubbock Christian University closed play at the 2026 Women’s Palm Valley Classic with a strong final-round push, climbing the leaderboard behind a pair of top-20 individual finishes at Palm Valley Golf Club.
 
The Lady Chaparrals posted a 298 in Saturday’s second round (their fifth sub-300 round of the season) — six shots better than their opening-round 304—to finish 10th overall in a deep 27-team field with a 36-hole total of 602.
 
The tournament, hosted by the Ruidoso Junior Golf Association (RJGA) and Western New Mexico, featured several of the top programs in NCAA Division II, with Colorado State-Pueblo claiming the team title at 579 (291-288).
 
LCU’s surge was fueled by freshman Nadalie Cannell, who delivered one of the best rounds of the day with a 2-under-par 70. Cannell finished tied for sixth individually at 145 (75-70), recording 10 birdies over the two rounds and playing her final 18 holes with precision. Starting on the back nine, she carded a 1-under 35 on both sides of the course, highlighted by a clean, bogey-free stretch over her final five holes to close the round.
 
Alexandra Escamilla also produced a steady weekend for the Lady Chaps, tying for 16th at 147 (75-72). Escamilla improved by three strokes in the final round and provided consistency near the top of the lineup. Anaya Perales added a tied-for-47th finish at 152 (76-76), while Abby Archunde (79-80—159) and Haley Hays (78-85—163) rounded out the scoring for LCU.
 
As a team, Lubbock Christian showed marked improvement in the second round, particularly in its scoring rhythm and ability to limit mistakes. The Lady Chaps averaged 3.20 on par-3 holes (second-best in the field) and remained competitive across a challenging layout that demanded consistency from tee to green.
 

The field featured 135 players, with West Texas A&M (585) and Cal State East Bay (588) rounding out the top three behind CSU-Pueblo. Individually, West Texas A&M’s Mia Hammersch won the event with a -5 139 (70,69). LCU remains in Arizona and will open play at the WTAMU Desert Invitational Monday in Tucson at The Lodge at Ventana Canyon.