UC Irvine's women's golf team finished in a tie for fifth place in the NCAA West Regional that concluded Saturday in St. George, Utah. By finishing among the top eight teams, the Anteaters advance to the NCAA Championship May 22-25 at the LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach, Fla.

In addition, Long Beach State junior Kay Hoey qualified for the NCAA Championship as she finished as the top individual not on a team that advanced to the NCAA Championship. Hoey, who also participated at nationals as an individual in 2005, had her best round of the tournament, shooting a 70 on the final day. She finished in a tie for 10th at 77-73-70 for a three-round total of 220.

It is the second time in its six years of existence that the UCI program has qualified for the NCAA Championship.

The Anteaters and host Brigham Young shot a three-round total of 898 on the par-71, 6,234-yard layout at the Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club. Oklahoma State and Stanford tied for first with 54-hole totals of 22-over 874. Arizona State was third with 876, Denver fourth at 891, Pepperdine was seventh at 899 and New Mexico placed eighth at 908 in the 21-team field.

Leading the way for the Anteaters was junior Kim Lorenzana, who finished 74-73-77 for a three-round score of 224 and a tie for 19th place. Freshman Henna Cho tied for 28th at 226 (77-77-72) and freshman Patty Chawalitmetha tied for 34th at 227 (72-78-77). Junior Selanee' Henderson and junior Jane Chin rounded out the UCI finishers. Henderson carded a 73-80-75 for a 54-hole total of 228 and a tie for 37th place, while Chin posted a 236 (76-74-86), tying for 63rd place.

The individual champion was Oklahoma State's Pernilla Lindberg, who carded 68-68-70 for a 7-under 206.