Women?s Golf in Fourth Place in Arkansas

Rogers, Ark -- The Nebraska women's golf team fired a 311 to sit in fourth place after the first of three rounds at the nine-team Embassy Suites/Tyson Invitational in Rogers, Ark., on Sunday.

The Huskers trail the hosts from Arkansas by 20 strokes, after the Lady Razorbacks fired a 291 in the tournament's opening round. Mississippi (308) enters day two in second place, just three strokes ahead of the Huskers, while Texas A&M (310) is just one shot in front of Nebraska.

Oral Roberts (313), Southern Miss (313), Augusta State (316), Iowa State (317) and Wichita State (340), round out the field after the first round.

Nebraska coach Robin Krapfl said the Huskers' scores should improve as the tournament continues.

"We are definitely going to get better from here," Krapfl said. "We came out and made a few mistakes and maybe had a few course management issues, but we worked hard after that and we will be ready to come back and get after it tomorrow."

Husker true freshman Christine McArdle produced Nebraska's top individual round of the day with a 4-over par 76 on the 6,102-yard Pinnacle Country Club course. McArdle will enter tomorrow's second round in 10th place.

"I'm not surprised by Christine's score because she is a great competitor and has a wonderful short game," Krapfl said. "You never know how a freshman is going to react playing in their first tournament, but her first round score says a lot about the kind of competitor she really is."

Senior Stephanie Schaefer and sophomore Jackie Beste sit two strokes back of McArdle in a tie for 19th place, after shooting 6-over-par 78s. Merynn Ito shot a 7-over 79, which is good for a tie for 25th, while redshirt freshman Andrea Dunagan managed a 90 as Nebraska's fifth golfer.

Three Huskers competed on Sunday as individuals, including junior Sara Sackett, who matched Ito's 79 for a tie in 25th place. Juniors Beth Anne Cherry (82) and Stephanie Ruiz (86) rounded out the eight Huskers who made the trip.

Tournament play continues with the second round Monday morning, before concluding with the third round on Tuesday.

Embassy Suites/Tyson Invitational
Pinnacle Country Club (6,102 yards/par 72)
Rogers, Ark.
Host: University of Arkansas

Team Scores (First Round)
1. Arkansas (291)
2. Mississippi (308)
3. Texas A&M (310)
4. Nebraska (311)
5. Oral Roberts (313)
5. Southern Miss (313)
7. Augusta State (316)
8. Iowa State (317)
9. Wichita State (340)

Nebraska Individuals (First Round)
10. Christine McArdle (76)
T19. Stephanie Schaefer (78)
T19. Jackie Beste (78)
T25. Merynn Ito (79)
59. Andrea Dunagan (90)

Sara Sackett (79)*
Beth Anne Cherry (82)*
Stephanie Ruiz (86)*
*golfing as individuals