ALBUQUERQUE — Twenty-five years ago, Robyn West's mom, Becky Whitted, helped Santa Fe High win the girls state golf championship.

And a quarter of a century later, West, a Santa Fe sophomore, helped the Demonettes return to that stage for the first time.

Santa Fe couldn't duplicate the glory of its last state tournament appearance, but the Demonettes did move up one notch Tuesday, tying for seventh in Class AAAAA during the final round at The University of New Mexico Championship South Course.

"It was kind of exciting knowing that she was there when they won it all and now I'm on the team that got back there," said West, who shot identical rounds of 96. "I didn't know that our team was the first (Santa Fe) team to get there since then until coach told us."

Although the Demonettes finished with a 238-over 814, head coach Leonard Baca was pleased with what the team was able to accomplish.

"I'm happy for the girls," he said. "We improved (Tuesday), but importantly we gained a lot more experience."

Every Demonette improved their score Tuesday except team leader, and the only senior, Chanet Fiorina.

Expected to challenge for the individual title, instead Fiorina struggled with a balky putter that betrayed her repeatedly.

"The funny thing is, when we started out in the morning, I thought I was going to have trouble driving and my putting would be the best part of my game," she said. "It turns out I was driving the ball great, but I couldn't putt. I guess that's golf."

The problems surfaced early as she went through a stretch of three consecutive holes where she 3-putted.

Thereafter, every putt became a challenge.

"It definitely affected me because I don't have a lot confidence with my putter," she said. "Especially with the short ones because I know those are the ones you're supposed to make. That happens, but it really got to me."

Once the psychological seed was planted, it was pretty difficult to curb, Baca said.

"Once you get that into your mind, you lose your self confidence in your putter," he said. "That's all part of the equation."

Fiorina entered the day in third place, four strokes off the pace set by eventual winner Kelsey Tate of Cibola.

Tate finished with a 157 overall while Fiorina came in with a 165 after carding an 84 Tuesday, ending up in fifth.

"I would have loved to have gotten a state championship as a senior, but I'm a big believer in that whatever is supposed to happen will."

Now what she would like to happen is for a college to step up with a scholarship offer. She'd love to attend and play at New Mexico, but she would have to walk on with the Lobos.

"I really want to play college golf," Fiorina said. "If I have to, I'll walk on at UNM."

As for the rest of the Demonettes, Baca is optimistic they will be returning to the state tournament a lot sooner than the last time.

"We really owe it to Chanet," he said. "She showed the other girls that golf can be cool to play. She set an example for the rest of the team. I think we'll be back next year and better."

On the boys side, the Demons' lone golfer, Victor Grijalva, mimicked his Monday score with another 85 to finish with a two-day total of 170.