Oct. 11, 2008

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Complete Release | Round 3 Tee Times

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Junior Ginny Brown and sophomore Rebecca Watson will start the final day of the 12th annual Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships in the top 15 individuals after following up career-best rounds with solid efforts on day two of the tournament at Fox Den Country Club.

The host Lady Vols, which took a six-shot lead into round two after three Lady Vols carded career-best scores, faded to seventh-place with a day two score of 306. UT's total score of 589 (+13) places it 12 shots behind leader North Carolina.

"Yesterday's round was phenomenal and today we came back down to earth a bit," Head Coach Judi Pavon said. "We could have played a little better but I thought this might happen.

"I think we'll be settled and relaxed tomorrow. Our goal coming into the tournament was to finish in the top five and I think we can do that with a good round."

The Tar Heels totaled 289 on day two at the par-72, 6,058-yard course. Their total of one-over 577 puts the team two strokes ahead of Louisville (579). The Cardinals improved by 11 shots on Saturday and their score of 284 was the day's best round.

UCF's Marika Lendl followed her first round score of 4-under 68 with a 2-under 72 and sits atop the individual leader board with a two-day total of 138 (-6). Cindy LaCrosse shot the 2008 tournament's best round thus far, a 5-under 67, to help propel Louisville into the second position. LaCrosse and UNC's Sydney Crane are tied for second with 4-under 140s.

Junior Ginny Brown shot a 3-over 75 on Saturday, a day after carding a personal-best 69. Her total score of 144 puts her even and ties her for 10th. "Ginny (Brown) has played four consecutive solid rounds of golf and I expect a good day from her on Sunday," said Pavon. Sophomore Rebecca Watson continued to play her best golf on day two, carding a 1-over 73. The Edinburgh, Scotland, native fired a career-best 72 on Friday and is tied for 14th at 1-over 145.

"I am so proud of Rebecca (Watson)," Pavon said. "Yesterday was a big day for her. Her head and heart are in the right place." Sophomore Lauren Spurlock lowered her career-best by five strokes on Friday by shooting a 69, but totaled a 79 on Saturday. Her total of 4-over 148 ties her for 34th heading into the final round.

Tennessee's fourth scorer, freshman Nathalie Mansson carded a 79 on day two and sits in a tie for 48th with a two-day score of 152 (+8). UT's fifth scorer, Emily Sills carded an 82 and sits in 93 rd place with a 168 total. The Lady Vols are playing the Mercedes-Benz without its top finisher from last season's home tournament, Diana Cantú, who tied for fifth at the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Championships.

Cantú competed at the 2008 Women's World Amateur Team Championship at The Grange Golf Club's East and West Courses in Adelaide, Australia. The Monterrey, Mexico, native finished tied for 101st, while Mexico tied for 30th.

UT tees off Sunday for the final round from the 1st tee at 9 a.m.