UC Irvine is coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history. With the core of the team returning, the Anteaters will look to continue rewriting the record books in 2025-26.

HAPPY TO START AT GOLFWEEK RED SKY CLASSIC
The Anteaters open the 2025-26 season at the Golfweek Red Sky Classic Monday-Wednesday (Sept. 22-24) at the Red Sky Ranch and Golf Course in Wolcott, Colo.

Teams will play 18 holes each day on the Fazio Course.

The tournament field includes New Mexico State, Mercer, Denver, Louisiana State, Charlotte, Miami, Northern Arizona, Eastern Michigan, Boise State, UNC Asheville, Kansas, USC, Arkansas-Little Rock, Pepperdine, Jacksonville State, Arizona, Campbell, East Tennessee State and Sacramento State.

UCI's lineup features Katelyn Kong, Alona Avery, Jenny Chang, Katherine Gerbing and HaYoung Lee.

WRECKING THE RECORD BOOK
UC Irvine started last season quickly winning the Wolverine Invitational in record setting fashion at the Talon Coves Golf Course. UC Irvine topped the 10-team field with a score of 11-under 853 (283-286-284), the lowest 54-hole total in program history.

Alona Avery finished in second place, carding a three-round total of 207 (69-68-70), the third lowest in UCI history. Katherine Gerbing was fourth, shooting a 212 (69-72-71) which is 14^th in the record books.

At the next two tournaments, UC Irvine shot 870 (289-290-291) at the Golfweek Red Sky Classic and Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational, the second lowest scores in program history.

Katelyn Kong recorded a 211 at the Rainbow Wahine Invitational, while Avery had a 211 at the Golfweek Red Sky Classic tying for seventh all-time.

In the spring, the team captured the UCR Soboba Classic with a 54-hole total of 880 (287-291-302) It marked the first time since 2008-09 that the Anteaters won a pair of tournament titles in a season.

"Last year coming in I think everyone had a really good mindset," Head coach Margo Dionisio said "They played freely and were able to shoot consistent scores."

SUMMER SUCCESS
Several Anteaters continued their winning ways over the summer.

Katelyn Kong started her incredible summer before school was out, competing in the 80th U.S. Women's Open Championship at the Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisconsin. She joined UCI Athletics Hall of Famer Selanee Henderson (2007) as the only two Anteaters to ever compete at a U.S. Women's Open. Kong won the qualifier with a nine-under par 135 (69-66) at Soule Park Golf Club in Ojai to advance to the championship.

The sophomore captured the 59^th California Women's Amateur Championship at the Santa Ana Country Club. She would beat fellow Anteater Katherine Gerbing in the Round of 16 by a score of 3&2 on the way to the title. Kong would also advance to the Elite 8 at the 76^th U.S. Girls' Junior Championship at the Atlantic Athletic Club.

Kong and Alona Avery participated in the 125^th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship at the Bandon Dunes. Kong advanced to the Round of 16, while Avery finished in a tie for 49^th with a score of 147 (72-75).

Avery, the Big West Freshman of the Year, carded a four-under par final round at the Enagic Eastlake Country Club to win the tournament and qualify for the U.S. Women's Am. She also participated in the Western Amatuer held at the Red Run Golf Club in Royal Oak, Mich.

CHANG JOINS THE TEAM
Jenny Chang joins the team for graduate school after playing at the University of Washington.

Last season, she fired a 219 at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational. In her collegiate debut at the 2022 Gunrock Invitational she shot a 1-over 217 (71-73-73), good for a 26th-place.

Chang was named 2025 Spring Academic All-Big Ten and to the 2023 Spring Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll.

"I'm really excited to have Jenny on the team. She plans to play professionally so this will be a good year of development. She will bring a sense of maturity and leadership to the team."

SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Kiana Briggs is the lone senior on the team, bringing three years of experience to the young squad.

Briggs, who was a member of the record-setting team at the Wolverine Invitational, has recorded five Top 20 finishes in her career, firing a career-best 69 on the first round of the Timpanogos Collegiate Classic.

"She is our senior leader. It's special because she came in my first year. She saw how we laid the foundation and culture and she has truly lived by it. I'm grateful for that," Dionisio ended.