Not even bad weather or an extended wait on the 13th hole could stop the women's golf team from rising from eighth to third in day two of the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verde, Calif., yesterday.

But the unlucky-numbered hole nearly changed the Wildcats' fortune.

"We played almost every hole in the rain," head coach Greg Allen said. "It was tough conditions for the whole field, and we (the assistants) thought 300 would be a good score to post."

The Wildcats were making their move, and then came the 13th.

"We were seven over coming into the 13th hole and then all five groups were on the tee and with the rain and everything being soaked, we just lost all momentum," Allen said. "We went from seven to 17 over after that."

Even as the field seemed to struggle with the weather, one UA golfer didn't seem to let it bother her.

Erica Blasberg, the number one-ranked woman in the nation, continued her impressive freshman campaign with two solid rounds (71-74=145) and finished the day in a tie for second place.

"I played all right but I did a couple of stupid things during my round," Blasberg said. "On the 10th hole I had a mishap with my wedge and ended up with a triple (bogey) and had two bogeys coming in."

Other than those mistakes, Blasberg's round was impressive, as she had three birdies, two coming after the long wait on the 13th hole.

Sophomore Miriam Kraschinksi is the second-highest placed Wildcat at 14th place after rounds of 75 and 77.

The final round of the tournament begins tomorrow morning.