Combating a lackluster team performance and uncharacteristically wet and overcast Arizona weather, senior Laura Hammond won the Midwest Classic this weekend in Phoenix.

Her second round of 69 tied a career-best and she finished the tournament with a 147 on the 72-par course. It was Hammond's second tournament victory of the season.

"She's been the most consistent golfer," Penn State coach Denise St. Pierre said, "but not all the pressure is riding on her shoulders."

With consecutive tournament wins to cap off its fall schedule, the Lady Lions were looking for a victory to launch their spring schedule.

But with a dismal first day in the two-day tournament, Penn State found itself in last place. Unable to resurrect itself, despite a tournament-best second day, the Lions finished a disappointing fourth in the 12-team tournament at the Desert Springs Golf Club.

"We're real disappointed with the first round," St. Pierre said. "It's hard to comeback when you have a field as tough as we were competing against."

The Lions last competed in October, a long hiatus which included the winter break. While many students were enjoying the break, Hammond went to Florida and played in a tournament to keep her game polished.

"Anytime you can get out and play, it will help you in the long run," Hammond said. "It reassured me I could play well.

"Instead of going back to October when I was playing well, I was able to go back to January."

Penn State regrouped after a frustrating first day and returned to the links with renewed spirit.

"I'm really proud of our final day in Arizona," St. Pierre said. "Had we played more consistent the first day, we could've won the tournament."

The Lions set a one-round tournament low by firing a 290, and improved their score by 32 strokes from the first day, vaulting from last to fourth.

"We were all disappointed after the first round," Hammond said. "We knew we were the best team there, and that we could play a lot better."

Sophomores Sara Doell and Lisa Francisco each shot a 155 and finished tied for 19th. Doell carded a 73 on the first day, and Francisco shot a 74 on day two.

Northwestern won with a 600, edging Minnesota by a stroke. Penn State finished with 614.