Washington State Falls to Montana State in Semifinals at Mountain Classic Match Play
PALM DESERT, Calif. - Washington State Women’s Golf ran into a tough Montana State squad on Tuesday, falling 4-0-1 in the semifinals of the Mountain Classic Match Play at The Classic Club. Despite the team loss, there were still some standout moments for the Cougars, particularly from freshman Kaitlyn Helm, who continues to play like a seasoned vet.
Helm was once again a bright spot for WSU. Down three with just four holes to play, she showed serious grit and composure.
She clawed her way back into the match, ultimately sealing the win with a clutch birdie on the 18th. That’s two straight wins for the freshman, and both came in dramatic fashion - a strong sign for the Cougars moving forward.
Washington State’s other matches didn’t go their way, as Montana State locked up the team victory by taking the remaining four matchups. But Helm’s performance wasn’t the only highlight of the day.
Competing as an individual, Sara Pineros also picked up her second win in as many days, defeating her Wyoming opponent 3&1. She’s quietly putting together a strong showing this week, and her consistency is worth keeping an eye on.
The Cougars now turn their attention to Wednesday’s final round, where they’ll square off with Utah Valley to close out the tournament.
Tournament Overview
The Mountain Classic Match Play is being held at The Classic Club in Palm Desert, California - a par-72 course that stretches 6,119 yards. The format is straightforward: five head-to-head matchups per team, with each player facing an opponent from the other squad.
Matches go the full 18 holes if needed, and no extra holes are played. If a match ends all square, each team gets a half point.
In the event of a team tie, the winner is decided by the total margin of victory across all matches.
Washington State Lineup
- 1. Kaitlyn Helm
- 2. Hannah Harrison
- 3. Grace Rubelsky
- 4. Anya Cedo
- 5. Agnes Brink
- Individual: Sara Pineros
The Field
This year’s Mountain Classic features eight programs: Washington State, co-hosts Wyoming and Boise State, along with Gonzaga, Montana State, Nevada, Utah Valley, and Weber State. It’s a competitive field, and every round has delivered its fair share of drama.
Fans can track live results throughout the final day here.
For more updates on Washington State Women’s Golf, follow @WSUCougarWGolf on X and @WSUWomensGolf on Instagram.