The Arizona women's golf team set out yesterday at Saticoy Country Club in search of its first Pac-10 Championship since 2002.

But after the final 18 holes, the Wildcats found themselves right where they started: third place.

The Wildcats stood in seventh after the first round of the 2004 Pacific-10 Conference Championships in Sorris, Calif., but jumped to third after the second round. Arizona finished 21 strokes behind the first-place Bruins and three strokes behind California.

It was the worst finish in the tournament since the Wildcats tied for third in 1996. But it was their best finish of their spring campaign ÷ something head coach Greg Allen said will hopefully give the Wildcats something to build on before the NCAA Regional Championships.

"It's encouraging," Allen said. "And we'll get Mar (Garcia) back in the lineup for regionals."

Garcia competed this week as an individual and finished in a tie for 34th place.

Sophomore Erica Blasberg finished third individually after leading the event the first day. She finished third in last year's Pac-10s as a freshman.

Allen said Blasberg was making a lot of putts, even on the tough greens ÷ a positive that the Corona, Calif., native can take from this week.

"She was disappointed," Allen said. "She putted well but didn't strike the ball that good."

The finish and her consistent play throughout the year earned her a spot on the All-Pac-10 First Team, her second award in as many years.

Blasberg was edged out for Pac-10 Player of the Year by UCLA's Charlotte Mayorkas, who took individual honors at this week's event.

Redshirt sophomore Lani Elston also had a breakout tournament, finishing in fifth place after rounds of 80-71-74.

Elston's top-five finish automatically earned her a spot on the honorable mention All-Pac-10 team, an honor she shared with teammate Cassandra Kirkland.

Kirkland, a sophomore, finished in a tie for 14th after closing the round with consecutive rounds of 77.

Allen said a few of the course's greens, which had been giving most of the field fits all week, were exceptionally tough yesterday.

"The only thing a couple of the greens were missing is a windmill and a clown's mouth," Allen said.

The team has two weeks before the NCAA regionals begin. The Wildcats will need to finish in the top eight to advance to the NCAA Championships.