Blue Raiders improve to fifth at Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Middle Tennessee women's golf finished fifth (out of 14) at the Administaff Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate at Forest Hills Golf Club (5,878 yards). Karisa Akin was the top Blue Raider finisher, placing 12th in the 74 player field.

"We had perfect conditions, but it's a very difficult course," explained Coach Chris Adams. "The greens were probably the hardest that we'll play all season, and I'm proud of the way the team improved over the course of the tournament to finish higher than some of the teams ranked ahead of us."

Akin, who was playing in her first tournament of the spring season, climbed into the top ten early in the day, but ultimately finished 12th with a 13-over 229.

"I'm definitely impressed by Karisa's focus and poise in her first tournament this season," said Adams. "She had confidence on the greens throughout the tournament, and the course played to some of her strengths."

Morgan Hale, who won the Sun Belt Conference Golfer of the Month last week, followed up a great second round with a better third. The junior shot an early triple bogey, but rebounded by finishing the day with a 74, the best round by a Blue Raider in the tournament. She finished tied for 16th along with Clara Leathers with a 16-over 232.

Olivia Love and Stephanie Smith rounded out the scores for Middle Tennessee, finishing with a 24-over 240 and a 35-over 251, respectively.

Ashley Haggard competed as an individual in the tournament, meaning her scores would not apply to the overall team score. The freshman from Savannah, Tenn. finished tied for 31st with a 21-over 237.

Sun Belt Conference foe Troy also participated in the tournament and finished tied for ninth.

The Blue Raiders will continue their season later this month at the UALR Women's Classic in Hot Springs, Ark.

TEAM SCORES:
1. Coastal Carolina, 891
2. Augusta State, 906
3. North Carolina-Wilmington, 926
4. Western Carolina, 931
5. Middle Tennessee, 933
6. North Carolina-Greensboro, 934
7. Southern Mississippi, 935
8. Wofford, 937
T9. Lamar, 948
T9. Troy, 948
T11. William & Mary, 954
T11. Charleston Southern, 954
13. Mercer, 986
14. UAB, 989

MT SCORES:
12. Karisa Akin, 229
T16. Morgan Hale, 232
T16. Clara Leathers, 232
T31. Ashley Haggard*, 237
T44. Olivia Love, 240
T65. Stephanie Smith, 251
*Ashley Haggard competed as an individual.

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