MLHS girls golfer makes appearance at state tournament

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake girls golf has officially wrapped up for the year after a state tournament appearance for Lilliana Roylance. After playing through the district tournament and qualifying for states, she made it to day one but was unable to move onto day two.  

“I was very excited to get her over there and qualify (for state competition). We've had girls qualify the past three years and I was happy that she qualified this year,” Mavs girls coach Kevin Whittall said.  

On day one Roylance shot 119, which ultimately prevented her from moving onto day two of the state tournament. Weather played a key role in her performance, with rain delays causing disruption to her routine, according to Whittall.  

“I mean, it was 20 minutes of rain, maybe five minutes of sun and 20 minutes of rain and wind, so it was kind of a miserable time, and she couldn't really get into the groove,” he said.  

Roylance was the only girls golfer to make it to the state tournament. At district, the two top teams are taken to compete in qualifiers, and from there, the top four are selected to move onto states, according to Whittall.  

Last year, Roylance missed out on the state tournament by two strokes, according to Whittall.  

“A couple of the other Moses Lake girls went to state, and I think that motivated her to put a little extra time in when she had the time, and it paid off,” he said.  

As she progressed through the season, she took on a leadership role with the younger players on the team, according to Whittall.  

“She was the only returner coming back from last year's team, and so she was kind of the captain, and I had three girls that never really played varsity golf and she helped them out,” he said.  

With the season now over, Whittall and Roylance look toward her senior season next year where she will have another opportunity to improve on this season.  

“You know, she's got that taste in her mouth with (a state appearance) and you never want to go out with a 119, and so I know she wants to improve on that and I think that made Lily (say), ‘Okay, you know, I think I want to get to the second day,” Whittall said.  

    Lilliana Roylance teeing off at a previous tournament at Moses Lake Golf and Country Club. Roylance was the only girls golfer to make it to the state tournament this year.