The University of Mississippi Athletics
Dori Carter Ready For NCAA East Regional
5/7/2008 | Women's Golf
Carter, who was named to the All-SEC first team, is one of three individuals in the East Regional, joining the 21 teams selected. Nine SEC teams earned a bid, with seven of them in the East Regional. The top eight teams and two individuals from each regional will advance to the NCAA Finals in
This marks the first NCAA appearance for Carter and the first for any member of the Lady Rebel program since 2004, when Ole Miss qualified for the East Regional. The Lady Rebels as a team have made four NCAA appearances. Robyn Rinaldo was the last Lady Rebel to participate as an individual, qualifying for the East Regional in 2000.
“The East Regional is a strong field, but Dori has seen these same players in many of our tournaments this season,” head coach Michele Drinkard said. “With her finals out of the way, I know Dori is looking forward to the tournament starting. Her family will be there, so it will be nice for her and more relaxing.”
Carter tied for fourth at the SEC Championship to earn her highest ever conference finish in one of the best fields in the country, as evidenced by the number of NCAA bids the league received.
Currently ranked No. 25 in the nation, Carter owns a 73.74 stroke average and was the top finisher for the Lady Rebels in every tournament this season, including four top-five and five top-10 finishes. Carter is the highest ranked individual in the field not competing with her teammates. She is also the sixth highest ranked golfer in the entire East Regional field. At the Crimson Tide Classic, Carter carded a school-record 65 in the final round to finish second, narrowly missing her first tournament title by two strokes. Her three-round total of 11-under, 205 is also a school-record. She is one of only six players in the country this year to shoot a 65. To follow Carter throughout the tournament, go to www.OleMissSports.com and click on the live scoring link in the upcoming events box. Carter will also be doing a blog during the tournament. ADDITIONAL QUOTES FROM CARTER On playing without teammates "It's different, and I miss them. I'm trying to find a way to relax. They usually keep me relaxed so I'm trying to find my own way to do that. It helps to have my coach here. I certainly am getting all the attention and I don't mind that. It's just like another tournament in the summertime when you play as an individual normally. I'm just trying to find my groove and my rhythm." "I'm so thankful that I'm playing here in Athens instead of either of the other two sites because my family is from Georgia and it's really convenient for them to get here. It's always better when you have a gallery. Both of my parents are coming and my grandparents and I think a couple others. I'm very thankful that I have all that support from them."
