Hokie ClubCHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Behind Valentine Delon's third collegiate victory of her career, the Virginia Tech women's golf team placed second at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational, which concluded Sunday at Finley Golf Club (par 71, 6,143 yards).
The Paris, France, native fired a 10-under 203 (67-70-66) to edge Duke's Rianne Malixi by two shots for the individual title. Delon led the tournament with 17 birdies, including seven in her final round. Ten of her 11 rounds this fall have been in red figures, with eight of those in the 60s. Delon becomes the first Hokie in program history to record at least three individual titles in a career.
Tech mounted an impressive Sunday surge, producing the round of the tournament (8-under 276) behind three Hokies in red figures. Following Delon's 66, Xin Yao Wang (69) and Savannah Dupre (70) also went low.
Over 54 holes, Tech delivered a 1-over 853 (279-298-276) to secure second place in an elite field that featured eight teams in the top 50 of the national rankings. Tech, ranked No. 33, beat No. 1 Wake Forest, No. 7 Miami, No. 9 Florida and No. 15 Princeton along the way.
Tenth-ranked Duke topped the team standings with an 11-under 841 (280-282-279), 12 strokes clear of the Hokies.
In addition to Delon, Emily Mathews finished the tournament in red figures with a 1-under 212 (68-73-71) to tie for seventh. Xin Yao Wang tied for 18th at 4-over 217 (72-76-69).
The Hokies close out their fall slate at the Keswick Invitational hosted by Virginia, Oct. 26. The one-day, 36-hole event will be contested at Keswick Golf Club in Keswick, Va.