Lauren Doughtie of North Carolina State had challenging odds to overcome in two ways Sunday during the Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships.

Not only was she trying to reach the par 5 No. 18 green at Fox Den Country Club in two shots, but she also trailed Cindy LaCrosse of Louisville by one stroke going into the hole.

Her four-iron second shot from 195 yards cleared the lake and she was able to make a birdie, while LaCrosse hit a much-shorter third shot into the water and finished with a double bogey.

As a result, Doughtie won her first collegiate tournament.

"I told myself walking to my tee shot that if I had an iron in my hand, I would go for it," said the Suffolk, Va., resident.

Her 7-under 209 put her two strokes ahead of LaCrosse and Dori Carter of Ole Miss. Finishing tied for fourth were Kirby Dreher of Kent State and Megan McChrystal of LSU (213).

With the help of McChrystal, LSU also overcame some odds - but with less drama - to pass several teams and win the team competition by nine strokes. Playing in one of the earlier groups, the Tigers shot a 7-under 281 for the day and finished the three-day tournament at 865.

Finishing behind LSU were North Carolina and N.C. State (874), Louisville (875), Ole Miss (881), Arkansas (885), Kent State (887) and Tennessee (890).

Although the Lady Vols faltered after leading through the first round, coach Judi Pavon was pleased with an eighth-place finish out of 18 teams.

"We were a little afraid coming in with the field we had and the team we had," she said. "I am really proud of them. They really stepped up."

The team was missing Nicole Smith, who has been battling a shoulder injury, and Diana Cantu, who was playing in the World Amateur in Australia.

Rebecca Watson, who finished tied for 15th at 219 overall, was UT's top finisher.

"That is incredible for her," Pavon said. "Since last November, she has not broken 80 all three days in a row. I am really, really happy for her."

Among the other Lady Vols, Ginny Brown finished at 220, Nathalie Mansson at 225, Lauren Spurlock at 232 and Emily Sills at 246.

Pavon said she was also proud of Sills, whose 78 Sunday was counted among the Lady Vols' scores.

Farragut High graduates Jillian Brodd of Ole Miss and Alyssa Randolph of Kentucky finished at 220 and 226, respectively.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.