March 4, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -Sophomore Kaitlyn Rohrback again anchored the 14th-ranked Tennessee women's golf team during the second and final round of the DariusRucker Intercollegiate, as the squad tied for ninth Sunday at the conclusion of the rain-shortened event.

Originally slated for three rounds, the inaugural event hosted by the University of South Carolina at the Long Cove Club in Hilton Head Island, S.C., was abbreviated to a 36-hole championshipafter weather halted play Saturday.

"We were in pretty good shape today," head coach Judi Pavon said, "At one point only a few shots from third. We need to get some work done in the next couple days because we have to get better. For the most part everyone played better than they scored."

The Big Orange totaled 305-303=608 (+40) over the three-day, two-round championship, with no team finishing the competition under par.

Alabama grabbed the team title after shooting a one-under 283 Sunday, en route to a 571 (+3) total. No. 10North Carolina finished second with a two-day score of 582 (+14).

The Crimson Tide's Stephanie Meadow captured medalist honors with a five-under 137 through 36 holes.

Putting proved to be the Achilles heel for the Lady Vols, who failed to finish on the greens this weekend.

"[We hit] the shots we needed, but then missed a simple putt," Pavon noted. "I think we are closer to playing well than it may seem in the result."

"We need to focus on putting and not letting short ones get away from us," Rohrback added. "We need to stay patient."

A native of Crofton, Md., Rohrback began the day tied for 16th on the individual leaderboard and moved up two slots, tying for 14th with a six-over total of 148 (74-74) for the tournament. The sophomore registered UT's best scores on both days of the event.

"Kaitlyn had a great finish," Pavon said. "I am proud of the way she played. She is a fighter on the course and she did a good job."

Tennessee had three players turn in 11-over marks for the tournament, tying them for 33rd.

Junior Erica Popson carded a five-over 76 for round two, adding to her first-round total of 77 to reach 153.

Along with Popson, freshman AJ Newell carded a 75 in the second round to total finish with a two-round total of 153. Junior Sara Monberg who competed this weekend as an individual, reached 153 after rounds of 79 and 74.

Senior Nathalie Mansson and sophomore Chessey Thomas shared 49th place, firing 14-over 156s on the weekend.

Tennessee returns to action March 9-11 at the LSU Tiger Classic in Baton Rouge, La.