Women’s golf sets sights on field at Continental Athletic Conference tourney

UHV's Madeline Pate hits a tee shot during the first round of the UHV Fall Classic at The Club at Colony Creek on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Sam Fowler/UHV Athletics)

April 27, 2025

The UHV women's golf team is looking to close its season strong this week.

The Jaguars are set to face off with Spartanburg Methodist College, University of Victoria, Our Lady of the Lake and University of the Southwest at the Continental Athletic Conference tournament held at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, Missouri, April 28-29.

The tournament is two rounds between Monday and Tuesday.

"Honestly, it's exciting," said interim head coach Taylor Dedmen. "I know the potential this team has. This team hasn't been this stacked in quite a while. So, to know we have depth and to know these girls have grit and the same goal – to get to (Ypsilanti,) Michigan and the national tournament."

The Jaguars have been strong this season, earning a win at the Tabor College Early Spring Invite March 17-18. That was the team's first win since winning the Continental Athletic Conference Tournament in 2021.

Senior Emmily Bickelmann has been strong this season, posting six Top 10 finishes this season. Last time out at the Texas Wesleyan Spring Invitational, the Weisbaden, Germany, native posted a season-best score of 74 in the final round to finish the tournament in a tie for ninth after rounds of 77-84-74—234. According to Scoreboard powered by Clippd, Bickelmann has a 78.6 adjusted scoring average.

Freshman Madeline Pate has also turned in five Top 15 finishes this season.

Kaitlin Lopez, Evelyn Nguyen and Remme Trujillo round out UHV's starting lineup for the conference tournament.

"They know what they're capable of," Dedmen said. "They know any given day, they can shoot their personal best or around that. That gives them the confidence they need and, in turn, gives me confidence in them as well."

This is also the first conference tournament for Dedmen since being appointed the interim head coach on March 21.

The lone emotion she's feeling ahead of Monday is excitement to lead the Jaguars for the first time in a conference tournament.

"I'm excited to go out there and compete," Dedmen said. "I'm excited to see what these kids can do. I don't feel much pressure right now because I have the utmost confidence in these girls and their capabilities."

UHV's tee times begin at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.