Diana Cantú spent four years as a Tennessee player, and seven more chasing the program's first SEC women's golf championship as a coach. Last week, she finally captured it.
The Lady Vols defeated Auburn 3-2 in the match play final to claim Tennessee's first conference title in program history. The breakthrough validated decades of near-misses, after two second place SEC women's golf championship finishes.
"We've always been here, we deserve this, we belong," Cantú said. "It's a grueling week. It is a really tough competition, just to make it into the top eight is, it's success in itself."
Cantú played at Tennessee from 2006 to 2010 after arriving from Monterrey, Mexico. She spent three years as an assistant at Baylor before helming Maryland for seven seasons. Tennessee then brought her on in 2023.
"Every step of the way that I've been at, I've had incredible people around me that have helped me grow and learn and push me to be better," Cantú said.
"I'm not the same coach that I was when I was at Maryland or Baylor. I love that about myself. I ask my players to grow and to improve in areas, and I do the same myself."
The championship delivered Tennessee's fourth tournament victory this season, marking a new program record. Sofie Engesaeth and Sophie Christopher opened with dominant 6&5 victories to give the Lady Vols a 2-0 lead, before Kyra Van Kan subsequently clinched the title with a 2&1 win.
"We had three wins already this season," Cantú said. "We saw our team just grow and grow and grow every time they tee it up. And some people might be like, 'Oh, where did Tennessee come from?' I told our kids, 'You've been here all along.'"
What's Next for 2026 SEC Women's Golf Champion Tennessee
Tennessee now targets another historic achievement at NCAA Regionals, as the Lady Vols seek a second consecutive NCAA Championship selection.
NCAA DI women's golf championship tees off on May 22nd at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, with live coverage on The Golf Channel.
