April 2, 2010

Bryan National Collegiate Round 1 Results

By Zach Stipe, Media Relations Graduate Assistant

BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. -- The No. 13/15-ranked Tennessee women's golf team bounced back in a big way from last week's 16th-place showing at the Liz Murphey Classic by vaulting to the top of the leaderboard on day one of the Bryan National Collegiate on Friday.

Led by sophomore Nathalie Mansson's 3-under 69, the Lady Vols carded a 1-under 287 team total at the Bryan Park Golf and Enrichment Center.

Mansson, who recorded three birdies and no bogeys, is one stroke behind individual leader Michelle Shin of Wake Forest, while the Big Orange is up two shots on the second-place and 10th-ranked Demon Deacons (289).

UT tees off on day two from the first hole at 9:50 a.m. in a group with Wake Forest, the tournament host, and Florida State, who shot a 291.

Live scoring will be provided by golfstat.com.

With temperatures in the mid-80s and the sun shining all day, UT was able to nab its lowest total since firing a 283 on day one of the Mercedes-Benz Championships in Knoxville, Tenn., in October.

"The team came out today really prepared to be mentally tough and to be committed to their decisions," Lady Vol head coach Judi Pavon said. "We have been doing a lot of good things this spring, but have not been scoring well. It's great to get a good round under our belts."

After winning the last two tournaments of the fall, Tennessee had placed 11th, third, sixth and 16th at its four competitions of the spring.

Joining Mansson as scorers for the Lady Vols on Friday were freshman Sara Monberg and seniors Ginny Brown and Diana Cantú.

Monberg off set three bogeys with a trio of birdies to fire an even-par 72, her first round of par or under of the spring, and is tied for 10th after the first day.

Brown and Cantú each carded 1-over 73s and are tied for 17th. Both Lady Vol veterans nabbed four birdies on the day. Brown started the day at 5-over through 10 holes, but rattled off four birdies in her last eight holes to get to 1-over-par.

Freshman Erica Popson completed Tennessee's lineup with a 9-over 81 and is in 86th, while junior Lauren Spurlock, playing as an individual, fired a 7-over 79 to tie for 67th.

Mansson's spectacular score was her 11th round of par or better this season and the best first day total of her career.

Tennessee's team total tied for the fourth-lowest opening round in Orange and White history.