LADY RAIDERS GOLF CONCLUDES HISTORIC SEASON

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Roane State women's golf team closed its 2026 season with a historic performance at the NJCAA Women's Golf Championship, climbing five spots in the national standings and recording the lowest team round in program history during the tournament's final day.

Competing at Old Colony Golf Club in Tuscaloosa, the Lady Raiders finished 12th overall after entering the NJCAA championship ranked 17th nationally. Roane State improved its team score in each round of the four-day tournament (May 12-15), capping the week with a program-best 345 in the final round.

Head coach Rick Maharry said the team's steady improvement throughout the week reflected the determination and resilience the program has shown all season.

"We started the fall ranked 23rd nationally, and we ended up 12th," Maharry said. "They just kept grinding and grinding, and they did an awesome job this year."

The championship field faced a demanding test at Old Colony Golf Club, a lengthy course that challenged players throughout the week.

"It was a very tough course," Maharry said. "It was long for these girls, and they probably haven't played something that long in a while."

Despite the difficulty, Roane State opened the tournament with a 374 in the first round before matching that consistency on day two. Sophomore Reagan Bailey delivered a personal-best round during the second day to help stabilize the Lady Raiders' scoring.

Roane State continued its upward trend on the third day, improving to a 365 before producing its breakout performance in the final round.

The Lady Raiders' 345 on the tournament's closing day marked the lowest team score of the season and one of the strongest rounds in program history.

A major factor in that final-round surge was sophomore Baye Dobbs, who finished approximately 20 strokes below her season scoring average while posting a personal-best round in the final collegiate event of her career with the Lady Raiders.

"She did an amazing job," Maharry said. "What a great way to finish your college season."

Sophomores Sydney Romer and Raegan Corvette also turned in standout performances throughout the week. Romer finished 29th overall individually, while Corvette placed 32nd in the national field.

Maharry said both golfers remained competitive despite the physical and mental challenge of playing five consecutive days, including the practice round before competition began.

"They hung in there. They fought," Maharry said. "They're playing five days in a row walking the course, so it's hard. But overall, they did an awesome job."

Roane State was one of the few teams in the tournament to improve its score each day, something Maharry viewed as a strong indicator of the team's competitiveness and toughness.

"To get better each day after four days of walking, that's hard to see," Maharry said. "I don't think there were many teams there that got better every day."

The sophomore class also leaves one of the most successful stretches in program history. This year's group became the first women's golf team at Roane State to qualify for back-to-back NJCAA national championships.

Maharry said the accomplishment highlights the growth of the program and the determination of the players who helped elevate it nationally.

The Lady Raiders' steady rise throughout the season culminated in their strongest performance of the year on the national stage, providing momentum for a program that continues to establish itself among the NJCAA's top teams.