GOODYEAR, Ariz. --- To say it's been a strong start to the 2017-18 season for Biola Women's Golf would be a serious understatement. Each of the Eagles' first four rounds of the season have been better than the previous program-best, including a new record of 308 today in round one.
 
Friday saw Head Coach Jane Carr's team play 36 holes of head-to-head competition against first-year program Ottawa (Ariz.) in what was considered the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association's West Region Championship. The Eagles beat the Spirit by posting a total team score (also a new record) of 618 (+42). The win gives Carr's program a spot in next month's NCCAA National Championship Tournament. The tournament is hosted Oct. 23-25 at Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Florida.
 
Once again, it was Jules Loibl leading the way for Biola. The newcomer carded a 73 in round one and followed it up with a 77 to lead all golfers with a 150 (+6). Tori Roeske was not too far behind her, carding a season-best 75 in the first round and an matching Loibl's 77 in round two to finish at 152 (+8). The 152 is the third-lowest tally in Roeske's career at Biola (10 tournaments).
 
Freshman Marcel Manalo came into the clubhouse with a 157 (+13). Her score made it so that three Eagles posted scores lower than the Spirit's top scorer (Melissa Kayli – 158). Manalo shot an 82 in round one and was much improved in the second-round, tying her season-best with a 75. Manalo has been consistent through the first two tournaments this season. Last time out she shot 156 and she carded 157 today.
 
Rounding out the Eagles' record-breaking day were consistent contributions by Bella Larson (80 – 81 | 161) and Alexis Gopfert (80 – 84 | 164). Both golfers dropped strokes from their tournament tallies at the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate earlier this week.
 
Carr's squad currently has two more tournaments planned between now and next month's NCCAA Championships. They will compete at the Embry-Riddle Co-Ed Invitational in Prescott, Arizona Oct. 9-10 and at the Sonoma State Intercollegiate in Rohnert Park, California Oct. 16-17.