GOODYEAR, Ariz. (April 4, 2026) – Freshman Lakshita Pragnya carded an even-par 72 during round one and led The University of Texas Permian Basin at the RJGA Palm Valley Classic. It was the first action for the UTPB women's golf team in over five weeks.

Pragnya (72-78; 150; +6) was tied for seventh out of 142 golfers after round one and was just four strokes off the lead, but finished tied for 34th. Pragnya has led UTPB in four of its seven tournaments this season.

Freshman Carlota Gutierrez (79-79; 158; +14) was plus-seven during both rounds and tied for 95th, sophomore Lorena Etxeberria (80-80; 160; +16) was plus-eight during both rounds and tied for 109th, and sophomore Ella Veretto (86-89; 175; +31) finished 140th.

UTPB (317-326; 643; +67) was plus-29 and 25th of 27 teams after round one, but finished in 27th. Vanguard University (322-318; 640; +64) and Northeastern State University (320-322; 642; +66) jumped the Falcons during the final round.

UTPB was 14th in par-5 scoring (5.34; +11), 19th in par-3 scoring (3.59; +19) and 23rd in par-4 scoring (4.46; +37). The Falcons were also tied for 20th with 12 birdies, led by Pragnya with six of those birdies (T10th), Etxeberria with four and Gutierrez with two.

UTPB Head Golf Coach Paul Chavez spoke, "Playing shorthanded, we already had our backs up against the wall, but no excuses, we played mediocre golf, and we just need to play better. We showed signs, like the great first round by Lakshita, but we are a young team, and we need to be more consistent in our scoring. Next, we play at New Mexico Junior College, and then that leads up to the biggest tournament of the year at the conference championship."

At the end of next week, UTPB will play at New Mexico Junior College in a dual match on Friday, April 10, in Hobbs, New Mexico. It will be the Falcons' final action before the Lone Star Conference Championship (Apr. 13-15).