KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dalton State women's golf has claimed the top spot in the NAIA Women's Golf Coaches' Top 25, earning 11 first-place votes and 462 points to move up to No. 1 in the latest national rating.
 
The Roadrunners' rise to the top comes on the heels of a dominant postseason start and a strong finish to the regular season. Dalton State closed the regular-season schedule by tying for first place alongside No. 4 SCAD Savannah and No. 7 William Carey at the Roadrunner Women's Spring Invitational, carrying momentum straight into conference championship play.
 
That momentum turned into a statement earlier this week at the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Women's Golf Championship, where Dalton State opened postseason action with a 53-stroke team victory. Leading the charge was Jia Kataria, who delivered a championship performance to secure individual medalist honors.
 
Kataria began the tournament by matching teammate Sara Burger with a first-round 70, then separated from the field over the final rounds to finish at 7-under and clinch the individual title. Her steady scoring headlined a complete team effort as the Roadrunners posted one of the most decisive results of the conference tournament season.
 
Dalton State's climb to No. 1 also reflects movement near the top of the national poll. Keiser (Fla.), previously ranked No. 1, slipped to No. 2 with five first-place votes (454 points), while Marian (Ind.) held at No. 3 (430 points). SCAD Savannah remained a top-five presence and moved to No. 4, collecting one first-place vote.
 
Friday's rating is the second-to-last of the season. The final NAIA Women's Golf Coaches' Top 25 rating is scheduled for May 8, coinciding with the NAIA's announcement of the national championship field. The 31st Annual NAIA Women's Golf National Championship is set for May 19–22 at Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
 
NAIA Women's Golf Coaches' Top 25 (Selected)
1. Dalton State (Ga.)  —  11 first-place votes  —  462 points 
2. Keiser (Fla.)  —  5 first-place votes  —  454 points 
3. Marian (Ind.)  —  430 points 
4. SCAD Savannah (Ga.)  —  1 first-place vote  —  428 points 
5. British Columbia  —  407 points
 
The final rating of the season set for May 8.
 
NAIA WOMEN'S GOLF TOP 25 POLL

Rank	Last Time	Institution [First-Place Votes]	Final Points
1	2	Dalton State (Ga.) [11]	462
2	1	Keiser (Fla.) [5]	454
3	3	Marian (Ind.)	430
4	5	SCAD Savannah (Ga.) [1]	428
5	4	British Columbia	407
6	6	SCAD Atlanta (Ga.)	395
7	7	William Carey (Miss.)	377
8	8	Loyola (La.)	357
9	9	Indiana Wesleyan	351
10	T-10	Cumberlands (Ky.)	331
11	T-10	Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)	321
12	12	Southeastern (Fla.)	302
13	13	Pikeville (Ky.)	284
14	15	Texas Wesleyan	276
15	16	Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)	258
16	17	Cumberland (Tenn.)	241
17	14	Coastal Georgia	226
18	19	Taylor (Ind.)	203
19	20	Rocky Mountain (Mont.)	199
20	18	Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)	189
21	21	Truett McConnell (Ga.)	170
22	22	Oregon Tech	151
23	23	Oklahoma City	135
24	24	Arizona Christian	118
25	RV	Milligan (Tenn.)	108

 

Dropped out of Top 25: Lawrence Tech (Mich.)

Receiving Votes: OUAZ (Ariz.) 83, UT Southern (Tenn.) 69, Lawrence Tech (Mich.), 57, USAO (Okla.), 29, Bethel (Ind.) 16, New College of Florida 14, Morningside (Iowa) 11, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) 8, Ave Maria (Fla.) 2.

 
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