NEW PALESTINE — Normally, having the second-best team score wouldn’t be a problem.

With the top three teams advancing to regional play from Monday’s New Palestine Girls Golf Sectional, Pendleton Heights trailed only sectional champion Greenfield-Central.

The tournament at The Links Golf Club wasn’t normal.

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The Arabians shot a 368, just three strokes behind G-C, but they weren’t the only ones.

Pendleton Heights was in a three-way tie with New Palestine and Greenwood, with the team’s fifth-best score breaking the tie.

It worked out just fine for the Arabians.

Pendleton Heights newcomer Kaitlynn Shamblin shot a 118, nine strokes better than Greenwood’s fifth player, to advance the Arabians to Saturday’s Lapel Regional, to take place at Edgewood Golf Club in Anderson.

“I’m ecstatic,” Pendleton Heights coach Hillary Slick said.

It is the first time the Arabians advanced as a team since 2016, when they finished second. The team had a pair of close calls the past two seasons, finishing fourth both years. In 2017, Danielle Tinsley, a senior on this year’s team, and Kiersten Maxwell advanced to the regional as individuals.

Tinsley has been the Arabians’ No. 1 player all season. She shot a team-best 86 on Monday. It was the seventh-best round of the tournament.

“I am so thrilled,” Tinsley said of moving on with her teammates to Saturday’s regional. “I didn’t know what to expect coming into the tournament.

“To tie with three teams, I’m happy. I’m emotional. This is something I’ll remember for a long, long time.”

Kaylee McKenney shot a 90, while Grace Wiggins was close behind with a 92. Ryann Norris shot 100.

The 368 was Pendleton Heights’ second-best 18-hole round of the season. It shot 366 earlier this year at Edgewood, site of Saturday’s regional.

First tee-times are scheduled for 9 a.m.

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