By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Britney Yada, a 2009 Waiakea graduate, keeps setting records at Portland State, no matter the status of her game.
The junior golfer tied for fifth with a 1-over 217 total, four shots behind Northern Colorado’s Carleigh Silvers, at the Big Sky Conference championship on Tuesday at Ocotillo Golf Resort at Chandler, Ariz.
Her first two rounds, 74-76, put her in a hole to defend her Big Sky Conference title. But she saved her best for last, firing a 5-under 67 in the final round, which set a school record and tied a conference mark.
“It was the lowest I ever shot in my whole life,” she said. “It was something special. My parents (Harry and Betty) were there. I’m glad they got to watch.”
Yada, who had five birdies and 13 pars, could have shot even lower.
“I stuffed my approach to 12 feet on both 17 and 18,” she said. “My putts didn’t fall. It was close. It just burned the edge. It is what it is.
“It was really frustrating on Day 1 and 2. I’ve played so well there (conference championship) my first two years. This year I wasn’t playing up to expectations. I was so far behind the leaders in the individual and the team was far behind on the last day I felt I had nothing to lose, and I just kept attacking everything. I tried to go really low and I did.”
When she won the Big Sky Conference title last season, Yada set the school’s season scoring average, 75.51, and set the tournament scoring record, 210. She had the best freshman season in Viking history, posting a team-leading 76.37 scoring average.
Portland State also won conference titles the last two years. Yada’s teammate, Tiffany Schoning, finished second, one shot behind Silvers. But the Vikings placed fifth. They’re staying home after advancing to the NCAA West Regionals the last two years.
“It’s a little frustrating after winning the past two years,” Yada said. “This year we had a young team, a freshman and two sophomores and they didn’t have a lot of experience.
“It was a rough season for me. I don’t know if I put too much pressure on myself. I was really frustrated the whole season. Recently it’s been coming around. I’ve got to work really hard this summer. Hopefully, I’ll have a really good senior year.”
Still, rough season or not, Yada led the Vikings with a 76.31 scoring average, putting her in line for a third All-Big Sky Conference first team honor. Schoning finished the season with a 76.48 scoring average.
Yada will play in a U.S. Women’s Open qualifier on May 14, and the women’s USGA Public Links on May 30 in Portland. Then she returns home June 13.
VOLLEYBALL
• New Jersey Institute of Technology junior libero Brady Smith (’09 Waiakea) was named to the All-Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association second team.
Smith leads the nation in digs per set (2.77). He had double-digit digs in 19 out of 29 matches for the Highlanders (12-17) with a career-best 23 digs at George Mason on April 14. He was also on the All-Academic team.
TENNIS
• Willamette junior Josh Wong (’09 Hilo) was named to the All-Northwest Conference first team for the third straight season.
Wong had a 7-7 record in singles and a 5-10 record in doubles with Cody Ferguson for the Bearcats (3-13).
To submit a collegiate athlete with Big Island ties for publication, email kjakahi@hawaiitribune-herald.com.