Zaia earns All-Big South Honorable Mention, All-Academic golf recognition

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South announced its 2022 women's golf awards on Monday morning, with UNC Asheville's Venecia Zaia being named All-Big South Honorable Mention while also earning All-Academic status.

Zaia carded rounds of 75-76 and finished with a round-three 73 to finish in sixth place overall. The sixth-place finish was a program record for best individual finish, and her three-round total of 224 tied Madyson Gold's scoring record of 8-over-par in the Big South Tournament.

Zaia's top-six finish was able to help propel the Bulldogs to their highest team finish ever (previously T-5), advancing to Saturday's match-play format where the Murrieta, California, native was able to win her match 1-up as the Bulldogs took ultimate champion Campbell to the brink.

Off the course, Zaia is a double major in environmental science and astronomy while earning dean's list in the Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and this past fall. A sophomore, Zaia volunteers with special needs children and for the Future Champions Golf Organization.

The Bulldogs have earned All-Freshman status and All-Academic honors in previous years, but have never had a player with an All-Conference award until now.

2022 Big South Conference Women's Golf Award Winners
All-Conference Team
First-Team
Emily Hawkins, Campbell
Anna Nordfors, Campbell
Beem Pabsimma, USC Upstate
Praew Nontarux, USC Upstate
Caroline Engelbredt, Charleston Southern

Second-Team
Tomita Arejola, Campbell
Patricia Garre Munoz, Campbell
Sanna Lundmark, Campbell
Dominika Burdova, Gardner-Webb
Danielle Suh, High Point

Honorable Mention
Linnea Hofgren, Gardner-Webb
Suwarin Yordin USC Upstate
Madison Freeman, Charleston Southern
Venecia Zaia, UNC Asheville
Emma Landis, Longwood

All-Freshman Team
Ester Choi, Longwood
Sarah Boteler, Presbyterian
Kayla Dowell, Gardner-Webb
Emilie Marie Marceliussen-Dahl, Winthrop
Ana-Elena Kusters, High Point

All-Academic Team
Tomita Arejola, Campbell
Caroline Engelbredt, Charleston Southern
Dominika Burdova, Gardner-Webb
Sarah Kahn, High Point
Bobbi Uhl, Longwood
Christyn Carr, North Carolina A&T
Sanders Hinds, Presbyterian
Riko Nagal, Radford
Venecia Zaia, UNC Asheville
Abigayle Hatcher, USC Upstate
Sarah Funderburg, Winthrop

Golfer of the Year
Emily Hawkins, Campbell

Freshman of the Year
Ester Choi, Longwood

Coach of the Year
John Crooks, Campbell

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Tomita Arejola, Campbell

All-Championship Team (Top 5 finishers)
Anna Nordfors, Campbell (Medalist)
Praew Nontarux, USC Upstate
Caroline Engelbredt, Charleston Southern
Danielle Suh, High Point
Tomita Arejola, Campbell

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Zaia earns All-Big South Honorable Mention, All-Academic golf recognition

Players Mentioned

Madyson Gold

Venecia Zaia

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