Nov. 2, 2008

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Lady Vol women's golf team finished 12th of 16 teams after two qualifying rounds on the first day of the Hooters Match Play Collegiate Championships on Sunday at the Ginn Reunion Resort.

UT will begin match play against No. 18 Arizona on Monday at 7:30 a.m. Tennessee will play another match Monday afternoon and a final match on Tuesday.

The Lady Vols shot a 304 in the morning and a 299 in the afternoon to finish with a 36-hole total of 603 (+27).

"We played pretty well today, especially in the second round," Lady Vol head golf coach Judi Pavon said. "Thirty-six hole days are tough and I'm really pleased with the fact the team shot a lower score on the second 18."

Freshman Nathalie Mansson led the Lady Vols on the par-72, 6,245-yard course by finishing two-over (73-73=146) and tying for 21st after 36 holes.

Junior Ginny Brown fired rounds of 77 and 74 to tie for 45th with a total of 151 (+7), while sophomore Lauren Spurlock finished one stroke behind Brown with a score of 76-76=152 (+8) and tied for 50th.

Junior Diana Cantú tied for 59th with a score of 78-76=154 (+10) and sophomore Rebecca Watson tied for 61st after carding 79-76=155 (+11).

"Nathalie (Mansson) played very solid today and Ginny (Brown) had a really good second round," Pavon said. "Lauren (Spurlock) hung in there both rounds and did really well today. We are excited about match play the next two days."

No. 1-ranked UCLA lived up to its ranking, finishing first in the medal play competition by nine strokes. The Bruins finished the day with a score of 281-286=567 (-9). Additionally, UCLA's Stephanie Kono captured first-place individually with back-to-back 66s for a 36-hole total of 12-under 132.