ANKENY | The NIACC women’s golf team is sending two golfers to the 2015 NJCAA National Tournament at Longbow Golf Course in Mesa, Arizona, May 11-14.

Savannah Lentz followed up her 81 on Friday with an 85 (44-41) on Saturday at Otter Creek Golf Course, the site of the Region XI women’s golf tournament, finishing tied for eighth with former Bishop Garrigan standout and current DMACC golfer Haley Froehlich with a 166.

Meanwhile, Bailey Walter, a former Atlantic prep, finished 15th with a 182, following up her opening round of 92 with a 90 (46-44) for NIACC on Saturday, grabbing the last qualifying spot for the national tournament.

“I’m really excited for Savannah Lentz and Bailey Walter, a couple of freshmen to make it to the national tournament,” NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. “Savannah has been one of the top golfers in our region all season long and for her to play the way she did in the weather conditions we’ve had the past two days is outstanding. I believe she will do very well at the national tournament. It’s always tough there because all women’s programs – Division I, II and III – all compete against each other. So it’s an uneven playing field, but she hasn’t back down from any challenge yet, I know she’ll put forth a great effort in a couple of weeks.

“Bailey really hung in there (Saturday). She was just battling herself all day long but she kept plugging away and actually made the cut by two strokes. She has a good enough game to do well at nationals too. She just has to remain confident.”

Kaitlin Koob tied for 16th with a 184, shooting a 94 (50-44) on Saturday, Josie Leyh was 20th with a 190, including a 96 (48-48) on Saturday, and Carlie Eckenrod was 22nd with a 198, shooting a 99 (52-47) on Saturday.

“I feel for Kaitlin because she really played better than her score indicated and to be that close and know you had a good chance to make it really hurts,” Frenz said. “She’s had a great two-year run here at NIACC (making the national tournament last year) and I’m really going to miss her.”

NIACC finished fourth with a 722, shooting a 365 on Saturday after a 357 on Friday.

Iowa Western won the team title with a 630, shooting a 312 on Saturday. The Reivers finished 23 strokes ahead of DMACC.

Individually, Iowa Central’s Julie Laisney – the leader coming into Saturday’s play with a 74 – finished with a 142, four strokes better than Iowa Western’s Damla Bilgic.