IRVINE, Calif. – Three UC Irvine women's golfers have been honored by the Big West, highlighted by Alona Avery being named Freshman of the Year.

Avery has also been named to the All-Big West first team, while Katherine Gerbing was a second team selection and Katelyn Kong recognized as honorable mention.

Avery is the third Freshman of the Year from UCI, joining Ronnie Valerio in 2011 and Patty Chawalitemetha in 2007. Three Anteaters being honored in the same year are the most since there were three in 2021.

Avery had a 73.22 scoring average, posting five Top 10 finishes. The freshman had a second place finish at the Wolverine Invitational with a score of 207 (69-68-70), which was the third lowest in UCI history.  She posted six rounds in the 60s including a career-best 67 on the second round of the Golfweek Red Sky Classic.

Gerbing finished the season leading the Anteaters in each of the last three tournaments, including a second place performance at the USF Invitational. The freshman carded a season-low 67 on the second round of the Big West Championship, where she led UCI with a seventh place finish. Gerbing owned a 73.48 scoring average, placing in the Top 10 five times.

Kong had two Top 10 finishes and three in the Top 20 this season. The freshman shot a season low 68 on the final round of the Rainbow Wahine Invitational where she led the Anteaters with her best finish of a tie for seventh. She ended the season with a 73.15  scoring average.

The trio helped the Anteaters win two tournaments (Wolverine Invitational, Soboba Spring Classic) and finish in the Top 5 four other times this season.