Although junior Louise Kenney was the individual medalist and the ISU women’s golf team finished in fifth place at the Battle at the Lake Invitational in Tulsa, Okla., head coach Julie Manning said she wasn’t happy.

“Overall I was pretty disappointed in the team’s finish,” Manning said. “Those last 18 holes that we played weren’t the best.”

Southern Methodist won the tournament with a final score of 894 while host Oral Roberts finished second with 912. Northern Iowa came in third with a score of 916, and Texas Pan-American edged out Iowa State’s score of 918 with a final score of 917.

“I especially don’t like losing to in-state rivals,” Manning said of finishing behind Northern Iowa.

Although the team didn’t shine too brightly overall, Kenney and another ISU golfer did finish strong. Leanne Owens and Kenney tied Dana Moening of Northern Iowa for first place, forcing a three-way playoff. Kenney parred the first playoff hole, giving her the individual first-place finish.

“I was a little nervous going up there,” Kenney said. “I knew I had two putts and I just had to keep under control.”

Manning said she was proud of both Kenney and Owens.

“This is a course where you have to have a good short game and you have to putt well,” Manning said. “Louise’s short game is always outstanding and Leanne had some really good up and downs.”

Kenney said she thinks her performance can be contributed to progress in practice lately.

“I’ve been working hard the last few weeks and I think I’ve been striking the ball well,” she said.

Manning said Owens and Kenney’s short games have shown improvement.

“We’ve been focusing more in that area and it shows that it’s paying off,” Manning said. “The touch was definitely there a little more for them.”

Kenney said she just needs to keep doing what she has been doing throughout the rest of the season.

“I just need to keep striking the ball and keep my confidence up,” she said.