Women's golf in second at SBC Championship

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. - The Middle Tennessee women's golf team got off to a slow start, but managed to card an even par 144 in the back nine to sit tied with Florida International for second place after one round at the Sun Belt Conference Championship at The Shoals Golf Club.

Photos: First Round Gallery

"We came out of the chute a little slow today," said coach Chris Adams. "We made a lot of birdies on the back nine as a team. We made a good run and we were hanging tight."

After a triple bogey on the fifth hole, freshman Olivia Love played five-under over the next eight holes en route to finishing with a one-over 73 to lead all Blue Raider golfers. Sophomore Karisa Akin also overcame some early bogeys and finished with a 2-over 74. The duo sit at seventh and tied for eighth in the 55 player field, respectively.

"I'm happy with my 73, it was good opening round," said Love, playing in her first conference tournament. "I started off with a bogey, but I didn't let it get to me. After a few holes, I started to feel good and got a bit of an adrenaline rush."

Morgan Hale is currently tied for 13th after shooting a three-over 75, and Ashley Haggard carded a six-over 78 to tie for 32nd. Clara Leathers finished with an 8-over 80 to tie for 46th.

The Blue Raiders will continue play tomorrow morning at The Schoolmaster Course at The Shoals Golf Club. Live scoring will be available at www.golfstat.com with extended coverage available at www.twitter.com/MTWomensGolf.

TEAM SCORES
1. Denver, 281 (-7)
T2. Middle Tennessee, 300 (+12)
T2. Florida International, 300 (+12)
4. South Alabama, 303 (+15)
5. UALR, 305 (+17)
6. UL-Monroe, 306 (+18)
7. Florida Atlantic, 307 (+19)
8. Troy, 308 (+20)
9. Arkansas State, 309 (21)
10. North Texas, 313 (+25)
11. Western Kentucky, 314 (+26)

MT SCORES
7. Olivia Love, 73 (+1)
T8. Karisa Akin, 74 (+2)
T13. Morgan Hale, 75 (+3)
T32. Ashley Haggard, 78 (+6)
T46. Clara Leathers, 80 (+8) <

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