Women’s senior golfer Emily Bastel was named to the eight-member 32nd United States Curtis Cup team Monday, becoming only the second Spartan ever to earn the accolade.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Bastel said in a statement. “It was one of my goals after the U.S. Amateur Championships last year. It’s going to be great to represent my country and Michigan State.”

The honor comes after Bastel, the 2002 Big Ten Athlete of the Year for women’s golf, was exempted from the sectional qualifying round of the U.S. Women’s Open.

Bastel also earned second-team All America honors this season, as well as the Big Ten Conference Championship in 2002.

She holds Spartans’ school-record for a single-season stroke average with a 74.81.

The fight for the Curtis Cup, which occurs every two years, showcases three foursomes and six singles matches per day. Each match winner receives one point toward the team score and a half point for each tied match after 18 holes.

The match features opponents from Ireland, England and the United States. Play begins Aug. 3 at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Kristofer Karol