Lamar sports information
MOBILE, Ala. — Lamar sophomore Eva Martinez-Calavia fired a blistering 6-under-par 66 Sunday to take sole possession of first place heading into Monday’s final round of the USA Intercollegiate.

Martinez-Calavia’s efforts helped the Cardinals move into the team lead, as the Cardinals climbed five spots after entering the day in sixth place. As a team, the Cardinals shot an 11-under-par 277, a 19-stroke improvement over Saturday’s first round. LU enters the final round with a seven-stroke lead over UAB and Tulane. The Cardinals are at 573 as a team, while the Blazers and Green Wave stand at 580.

“I’ve been waiting for over two years to see the day where we came together as a team and to see what we are capable of,” LU coach Jessica Steward said after the round. “I’m thrilled to say that today is that day.”

Martinez-Calavia, who had an even-par 72 on Saturday, is at 138 after 36 holes, one stroke ahead of UAB’s Maria Donado, who shot a 70 on Sunday to sit at 5-under 139. Martinez-Calavia had six birdies, one eagle and two bogeys on Sunday. Her eagle came on the 448-yard, par-5 sixth hole.

“Eva hit her approach shots incredibly well throughout her entire round. She was consistent for all 18 holes,” Steward said. “She battled some nerves at the end, but came out victorious and shot the best round of her career.”

LU sophomore Elodie Chapelet and senior teammate Olivia Le Roux are tied for third at 2-under-par 142. Chapelet shot a 68 on Sunday, while Le Roux carded a 70 on the par-72, 6,002-yard layout at the Magnolia Grove Crossings Golf Course. LU’s Felicia Sauceda of Nederland is tied for 30th at 151 after a 1-over-par 73 on Sunday. Ashlyn Hendricks is 73rd at 169 after registering an 89 on Sunday.

“Elodie made a great comeback on the back nine. She shot 4-under after the turn,” Steward said. “Olivia truly fought for her round. She put her driver in the bag and hit 3-wood off the tee. She hit some great mid-irons and also sank some impressive putts.”

The Cardinals are one of three Southland Conference teams in the 13-team field. McNeese State is in seventh place at 598, 25 strokes behind LU. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is in 10th place at 619.

“We have two good teams on our heels,” Steward said of UAB and Tulane. “This is good preparation for the conference tournament, which is also three rounds in three days. “You have to learn how to be prepared mentally to head into that final day with the lead.”

Monday’s final round is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Hendricks will be the first Cardinal on the tee, as she starts her round at 9:40 a.m.