RIO VERDE, Ariz. – South Dakota closed out the Rio Verde Invite by breaking one more record. In the final round, the Coyotes shot a 302 as a team, bringing their three-day total to 904. The 904 score is the lowest team score in a 54-hole event in the program's history. The previous best was 906 set back in 2018. South Dakota finished in sixth place at the end of the tournament. 
 
USD was led by sophomore Akari Hayashi and senior Megan Munneke who tied for 15th place with a 225 total score. Hayashi carded rounds of 78-70-77 at the Rio Verde Invite. In her final round Sunday, she sank three straight birdies to begin the back nine and finish at 5-over par on the day. Playing in her first tournament of the spring season, Munneke scored rounds of 80-71-74 and set a new career-low with the 71 in day two. She recorded three birdies in the third round and finished at 2-over on the day. Both Hayashi and Munneke carded nine birdies throughout the tournament, and both placed in the top-15 for the first time this season.
 
Senior Laerke Jensen finished in a tie for 23rd place after rounds of 79-73-75. Jensen recorded one birdie in the third round, bringing her three-day total to four birdies. Sophomore Danica Badura placed in a tie for 28th at the end of her tournament. Badura scored rounds of 72-80-76 at White Wing Golf Course with five birdies during the three days. Freshman Paige Hoffman finished in a tie for 72nd place after rounds of 79-81-82. Hoffman recorded four birdies at the Rio Verde Invite.
 
The Coyotes will get two weeks off from competition before returning to action at the HBU Women's Invite. The two-day tournament starts on Mar. 14 down in Houston, Texas.