Miller’s 42 leads Valley past Pioneer, Caston

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

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Savana Miller Lyla Gebhardt

STAR CITY — Savana Miller shot a 42, and Aly Brown added a 45 to lead the Tippecanoe Valley girls golf team to a three-way win over Caston and Pioneer at Pond View Golf Course Monday.

Valley shot a 201, Pioneer had a 227, and Caston had a 242.

Brystal Sands added a 56, Brie Scott had a 58, and McKinley Burton had a 59 for the Lady Vikings. JV player Kyndall Davis had a 67.

Grace Cobb topped Pioneer’s scorecard with a 53. Kassandra Martinez and Jaelyn Sweet each shot a 57, Addie Tabler had a 60, and Selena Johnson had a 62. Brilie Long shot a 67 for the JV.

The low scorer for Caston was Olivia Taylor with a 53, but she was the designated JV player, so her score did not count for the varsity. Lyla Gebhardt led the varsity with a 55, Audrey Ault had a 60, Alyssa Smith had a 63, Ava Russell had a 64, and Leah Ehlinger had a 67.

The round was played under threatening skies and even the occasional rumble of thunder.

Miller was a state qualifier last year as a sophomore, and Sands, Burton and Davis also return from last year.

Pioneer’s roster includes four freshmen – Cobb, Sweet, Tabler and Long. Mia McKaig, the two-time reigning Hoosier North medalist and a state qualifier in 2024, graduated and is now playing at Taylor University.

“I have just two that have previous playing experience,” Pioneer coach Megan Peppers said. “Everybody else is just starting. We did start a junior high team, so all my freshmen played, and that has been worlds better than starting from scratch. Grace did play Junior PGA when she was younger, so she has had a lot more playing experience.”

Peppers was asked what stands out about Cobb’s game.

“She’s got a lot of natural talent,” Peppers said. “She’s a very gifted athlete all around. She just has a lot of potential. There’s a good future ahead of her.”

In addition to McKaig, Pioneer also graduated all-conference player Kendra Hanson.

“Last year, both her and Kendra were good, solid senior leaders, and they led the team,” Peppers said. “I didn’t have to do a lot last year with those two at the helm. This year, Kassandra Martinez is my senior, but it’s only her second year playing. So yes, especially with four freshmen and just not a lot of experience out of anyone, it is more me than anyone.

“In the future, with these four freshmen, it will be totally different. It will cycle out, and those girls will be great leaders. It just takes some time.”

at Pond View Golf Course, Star City, Monday

VALLEY (201): Savana Miller 42, Aly Brown 45, Brystal Sands 56, Brie Scott 58, (McKinley Burton 59)

PIONEER (227): Grace Cobb 53, Kassandra Martinez 57, Jaelyn Sweet 57, Addie Tabler 60, (Selena Johnson  62)

CASTON (242): Lyla Gebhardt 55, Audrey Ault 60, Alyssa Smith 63, Ava Russell 64, (Leah Ehlinger 67)

VALLEY JV: Kyndall Davis 67

PIONEER JV: Brilie Long 67

CASTON JV: Olivia Taylor 53