NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A 2-over 74 performance from sophomore Chessey Thomas anchored the No. 14-ranked Tennessee women's golf team Thursday during third round action at the 2012 NCAA Women's Golf Championship.

The Lady Vols turned in a team score of 307 - 19 over par - for the second consecutive round and sit in 22nd position heading into the tournament's final round.

"Today was another disappointing round for us," head coach Judi Pavon noted. "I am hoping we can go out and play well and have a good round to finish as a team tomorrow."

Opening the day on the back side at the par-72 Vanderbilt Legends Club course, Thomas strung together eight pars before birdieing No. 18 to make the turn at one under par. The Spokane, Wash., native was even through 16 holes, but found herself in trouble on No. 8 and picked up a double bogey on the par four on her way in.

Thomas and senior Nathalie Mansson have been Tennessee's most consistent players at the national championship, sharing 71st place with three-day totals of 228 (+12).

Mansson found herself under par early in the third round, making birdie on the par 4 No. 11, but immediately negated her advantage with a double bogey on No. 12. The Lady Vol veteran recorded three birdies in the round, but was plagued by bogeys, making seven on the day. She finished Thursday's round at 78 (+6).

Junior Erica Popson turned in her second straight 4-over 76 performance in the third round. Even through 13 holes, the Davenport, Fla., product picked up back-to-back bogeys on No. 5 and No. 6 before counting six strokes on the par four No. 8. She will enter the final round tied for 77th place.

Rounding out the Lady Vol performers on day three were freshman AJ Newell and junior Sara Monberg. Newell, who followed a day-two 83 with a 7-over 79, is tied for 115th, while Monberg added a round three 81 for a 233 total and a share of 101st place.

No. 2 Alabama will head into the final round of the NCAA Championship tournament atop the leader board at 13-over 877 and hold a two stroke lead over second place Southern California going into Friday's final round.

Oklahoma's Chirapat Jao-Javanil and Arizona State's Giulia Molinaro are tied atop the individual leaderboard at 4-under 212.

The Orange and White will start Friday's final round from the 10th hole at 7:33 a.m. CT in a group with Ohio State and Stanford.

Live results can be found at ncaa.com, while twitter.com/ladyvol_golf will have updates.