Sept. 26, 2008

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Junior Diana Cantú and freshman Nathalie Mansson carded two-over-par 74s as the Tennessee women's golf team completed day one of the Mason Rudolph Women's Championship with a 307 (+19) total score on Friday at the Vanderbilt Legends Club South Course.

The Lady Vols will start day two in 14th place, ahead of UT-Chattanooga, Central Florida and Stanford.

Oklahoma State shot a two-under 286 to lead by one stroke over UCLA, while defending individual champion Amanda Blumenherst of Duke and Candace Schepperle of Auburn are tied for the medalist lead after both carding five-under 67s.

Cantú started the day hot, recording four birdies on her first eight holes at the 6,262-yard course. She made the turn two-under, but suffered two bogeys and a double bogey out.

Mansson's play was consistent, carding three bogeys to go along with one birdie.

The pair is tied for 30th.

Sophomore Lauren Spurlock made par on eight of the first nine holes, but bogeyed holes 2 and 3, before double-bogeying the fourth hole on the back nine. The transfer from Belmont ended the day with a six-over 78 and is tied for 58th place.

"The wind picked up a little on the back and we faced a tough stretch on holes 3 and 4," UT head women's golf coach Judi Pavon said. "Diana and Nathalie both were solid today. Lauren always does her best and is improving every day. We just need to start getting better at the fourth spot if we want to be more competitive."

Junior Ginny Brown, who had two birdies, carded an 81 (+9) and is tied for 77th, while redshirt freshman Emily Sill fired an 83 (+11) to place her tied for 85th in her first career team match. Sophomore Rebecca Watson carded an 81 as an individual.

"This field is extremely strong, so we're getting beat up," Pavon said. "Hopefully it will help us improve throughout the season."

The Lady Vols begin the second round on Saturday at 8:50 a.m. from the tenth tee.

Lady Vol Placements
T30.	Diana Cantú	74
T30.	Nathalie Mansson	74
T58.	Lauren Spurlock	78
T77.	Ginny Brown	81
T85.	Emily Sills	83
(Ind.)	Rebecca Watson	81