Butler's Marissa DeCola claimed her first WPIAL championship on Tuesday with an even-par 72 at Longue Vue Club. She will compete in the PIAA West final on Oct. 18.

VERONA — Butler golf coach Sarah Zediker was surprised the WPIAL Championship was played Tuesday — but not by the final results.

On a wet and sloppy Longue Vue Club, senior Marissa DeCola captured the Division I girls title with an even-par 72.

She finished three strokes ahead of Fox Chapel's Katerina Luttner and four ahead of Shady Side Academy's Kendall Allen.

“I've seen her mature the last four years,” Zediker said, “and I knew every year she was capable of winning it. To see her win it this year was amazing.

“She played at Connoquenessing Country Club last week (in a match against Seneca Valley). It was very wet and she shot 34. (Tuesday), there were no carts and everywhere you walked, your feet got totally soaked,” Zediker added.

That didn't deter DeCola, who has gotten plenty of experience from tour play.

“That gives me an advantage on what the ball will do,” DeCola said. “I played it like any other tournament.”

DeCola got off to an inauspicious start, picking up a double bogey at No. 4.

“I knew I dug myself into a hole,” DeCola said, “and I knew I had to get those strokes back.

“I birdied back-to-back holes at No. 7 and 8, so I got it back.”

DeCola went into the turn at 1-over, but remained confident over the final nine holes.

“(Longue Vue) was just like the usual Pittsburgh course — hilly,” DeCola said. “You factor that in. It made it a lot longer.”

“Marissa made all her tee shots, all 18 landed in the fairway,” Zediker said. “Her second shots, sometimes they went in the rough, but she played out of it and her putting was right on.

“The front nine gave her the most trouble, but the back nine she was consistent all the way through,” Zediker added.

DeCola finished the round in grand fashion, sinking a birdie to be the only golfer in the 33-player field to shoot par or better.

For DeCola, this was her final chance to chase the elusive title.

She finished third last year at the WPIAL finals, then followed up with a second-place showing at the PIAA West final and eighth at the PIAA championships.

As a sophomore she finished runner-up at the WPIAL championships.

“It's been four years but I finally got it,” joked DeCola.

Next up, DeCola will advance to the PIAA West final, which will be held at Tom's Run on Oct. 18.

“Winning the WPIAL definitely gives me more confidence,” DeCola said. “I want to go in thinking I am the best. It gives your ego a boost.”