OPELIKA, Ala. – Sophomore Virunpat Olankitkunchai of the Maryland women's golf team finished tied for third in the 2019 NCAA Division I Women's Regional Wednesday at Auburn.
 
Olankitkunchai is one of three individuals in the Auburn Regional to qualify for the NCAA Championships May 17-22 in Fayetteville, Ark. Olankitkunchai is the first in program history to advance to the NCAA Championships. 
 
"We are so proud of Virunpat for qualifying for the national championships," head coach Diana Cantu said. "She is one of the hardest workers I've ever seen and she deserves to move on.
 
"We are also proud of our team for the way they competed in this tournament. I think this week, our team realized what they are capable of and we are going to take all of the experience we gained and use it to be even better next year. Wrapping up the best season in Maryland women's golf history only gives us more confidence for next year."
 
Olankitkunchai shot a one-over 73 in the third and final round to finish with a score of 213 (70-70-73), which was three under total. She finished tied with Duke's Jaravee Boonchant, the ninth-ranked player in the country, and Morgan Baxendale of Vanderbilt.
 
The Terrapins went stroke-for-stroke with No. 42 Tennessee for the final team spot to advance. The Terps made six birdies on the back nine holes, and 10 total, to score a 288 on the day, which was one stroke under par total.
 
Junior Xiaolin Tian birdied the 15^th and 16^th holes, senior Ludovica Farina birdied the 15^th and freshman Elena Verticchio birdied the 17^th to cut the Vols' lead to one stroke.
 
Junior Laura Van Respaille finished tied for 23^rd with a score of 220, after shooting an even 72 Wednesday. She went even on the first nine holes, then birdied the 10^th and 11^th holes.
 
Tian tied for 28^th with her score of 221. She went one stroke under par Wednesday with a 71, picking up three birdies on the day.
 
Verticchio shot an even 72 Wednesday after picking up birdies on the eighth and 17^th holes. She finished with a score of 232 (81-79-72) on the tournament.
 
Farina started out +7 on the first nine holes, then went just +1 on the back nine to finish with a score of 233 (76-77-80).
 
"It is so special for our seniors, Ludovica Farina and Ludovica Scandroglio, who were my first recruiting class, to be able to be a part of this team making history this year," Cantu said. "They helped changed the culture of Maryland women's golf and have helped this program continue to grow."
 
The No. 52-ranked Terrapins beat six top 50 teams in No. 22 Furman, No. 27 Clemson, No. 31 Houston, No. 35 Kennesaw State, No. 38 Alabama and No. 46 California.

This marked the fifth all-time trip to regionals for the Terrapins and a first for Cantu.
 
The national championships will be May 17-22 at The Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark. hosted by the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.