AMARILLO, Texas (September 28, 2026) –
Nadalie Cannell extended her run of steady play and
Hailey Hays fired the lowest round of her collegiate career Monday as Lubbock Christian University opened the West Texas A&M Fall Invitational with 36 holes at La Paloma Golf Course at Tascosa Country Club.
The Lady Chaparrals posted rounds of 302 and 297 for a 36-hole total of 599 (+31) on the par-71, 5,801-yard layout and sit tied for sixth with Colorado State Pueblo entering Tuesday's scheduled final round. Ironically the last time LCU shot 297-or-better in a round was at last season's WTAMU Fall Invitational (Sept. 29, 2025).
Cannell once again paced LCU individually, carding rounds of 73 and 71 for a 144 (+2) total to sit tied for ninth. The sophomore has now played four consecutive competitive rounds at 73 or better, dating back to last week's Westminster Wasatch Invitational in Utah. Her opening 73 was followed by an even-par 71 in the second round, giving her nine birdies through Monday's 36 holes, tied for second-most in the field. Cannell has also been among the tournament's most consistent players on the par-4s, playing those holes at just 1-over through two rounds. She enters Tuesday seven strokes off the individual lead.
Hays supplied LCU's headline round of the afternoon, rebounding from an opening 79 with a 1-under 70 in Round 2. The 70 established a collegiate career low for Hays, including her previous collegiate career at Biola, and moved her into a tie for 24th at 149 (+7).
The 70 also ties for the fifth-lowest individual round in LCU program history and gives the Lady Chaps three rounds of 70 this season. Abby Archunde opened the Shootout at Estrella with a 70 on Sept. 14, while Cannell matched that score in the second round of the Westminster Wasatch Invitational on Sept. 21.
Hays played the par-3 holes at even-par through the opening 36 holes, tied among the tournament leaders in that category.
Kilee Ivy also recorded a collegiate-best round during Monday's opening session. Ivy carded a 75 (+4) in Round 1 before following with a 78 (+7) in the afternoon and sits tied for 31st at 153 (+11).
Archunde matched Ivy's opening-round 75 before posting a 79 in Round 2. She enters Tuesday in 35th at 154 (+12). Freshman
Chace Atkinson improved five strokes between rounds, following an 83 with a 78 that matched the lowest score of her young collegiate career. Atkinson sits tied for 48th at 161 (+19).
LCU also sent two players into the event as individuals.
Bailey Rainbolt posted rounds of 79 and 76 for a 155 (+13) total and sits 36th, while freshman
Isabella Nguyen made her LCU and collegiate debut with rounds of 80 and 77. Nguyen is tied for 40th at 157 (+15).
The Lady Chaps accumulated 24 birdies through the first two rounds, tied with host West Texas A&M for fourth-most in the field. LCU also recorded 102 pars while ranking seventh in par-3 scoring at 3.27 (+11), fifth on the par-4s at 4.32 (+35) and tied for sixth on the par-5s at 5.17 (+5).
Cal State Monterey Bay leads the 10-team field at 570 (+2) after rounds of 286 and 284. UT Dallas sits two strokes back at 572, while Cal State Los Angeles is third at 576 and West Texas A&M fourth at 577. Texas A&M-Kingsville is fifth at 595, four strokes ahead of LCU and Colorado State Pueblo at 599.
UT Dallas' Anvesha Gulhane and West Texas A&M's Tasnim Smaili share the individual lead at 5-under 137. Cal State Monterey Bay's Khivi Kaur is one stroke back at 138, while teammate Morgan Pittman sits fourth at 140. 26_27_
Tuesday's final round is scheduled to complete the 54-hole event, although weather could become a factor in Amarillo. The National Weather Service has a Flood Watch in effect Tuesday morning into Wednesday and is forecasting showers and thunderstorms with an 80% chance of precipitation. The forecast calls for rain to become more widespread later in the day, with additional thunderstorms Tuesday night.
