This past week, the Arizona women’s golf team went 2-1 against fierce competition at the Therese Hession Regional Challenge, collecting two top-25 victories, earning them Team of the Week honors. Esmery Martinez collected her 37th career double-double while leading the Wildcats to an 11-point win over rival ASU and earning Player of the Week honors.
Team of the Week: Women’s Golf
The No. 26 Arizona women’s golf team traveled to Palos Verdes Estates, California for the Therese Hession Regional Challenge between Saturday, Feb. 3 and Sunday, Feb. 4. This year marked the inaugural matchplay style format for the tournament due to inclement weather prompting officials to alter the format.
Arizona faced a challenging start, falling 3-2 to the No. 6 University of South Carolina. Notably, Nena Wongthanavimok and Charlotte Back contributed points for the Wildcats. In the subsequent match against No. 25 Mississippi State University, Wongthanavimok and Back maintained their momentum, clinching victories once more and junior Lilas Pinthier secured a decisive victory, helping Arizona defeat Mississippi State 3-2.
Continuing their stride, the Wildcats triumphed over No. 15 Clemson University with a 4-1 scoreline. Back showcased exceptional performance, finishing 2 points ahead with one hole to spare. Sophomore Julia Misemer stood out for Arizona, sealing the victory after 14 holes with a 5-point lead.
Despite the initial setback against South Carolina, the Wildcats displayed resilience with two victories in a highly competitive tournament amidst the challenging playing conditions.
Player of the Week: Esmery Martinez – Forward, women’s basketball
Fifth-year senior Martinez recorded a double-double in Arizona’s 63-52 victory against rival ASU on Sunday, Feb. 4. Martinez tallied 18 points and secured a season-high 15 rebounds, guiding the Wildcats to a season sweep over the Sun Devils.
Despite reportedly battling a migraine, Martinez exerted dominance throughout the game. Leveraging her size and strength, Martinez frequently outmatched her defenders in the low block. In a notable departure from her usual playstyle, she sunk her 12th 3-pointer of the season in the second quarter, utilizing the backboard for support. Martinez made nine trips to the charity stripe, converting seven of her attempts. This marked Martinez’s fourth double-double of the season, contributing to her career total of 37. Besides her offensive prowess, Martinez exhibited strong defensive play, accumulating two steals.
Martinez’s standout performance proved pivotal for the Wildcats, who had suffered five losses in their last six games, all against conference opponents. Martinez and the Wildcats aim to build on this victory in their upcoming game against No. 9 UCLA on Friday, Feb. 9 in Los Angeles at 9 p.m.
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