Huskers Hit Course in Florida

Sorrento, Fla. - The Nebraska women's golf team opened its 2010 spring schedule by playing 36 holes at the 17-team UCF Challenge at the RedTail Golf Club on Monday.

In their first time out on the course, the Huskers managed an opening-round 312, before settling for a second-round 315 on the 6,301-yard, par-72 layout. The Huskers closed the first day of competition in 16th place (627), two shots in front of Miami, and 11 strokes back of East Carolina and UTSA in a tie for 14th.

Georgia State led the talented field after the first two rounds with a 36-hole score of 591, while Texas A&M, Baylor and the hosts from Central Florida were seven shots back at 598.

Husker junior Mary Kate Bird heads into Tuesday's final round in 53rd with a 156, after managing rounds of 80 and 76 on Monday. She is one shot ahead of sophomore teammate Maddie Sheils, who produced a 157 (81-76) to sit in a seven-way tie for 54th.

NU senior JC Stevenson was just one stroke back of Sheils at 158 (76-82) in a tie for 61st, while fellow senior Charlotte Wendner added a 159 (78-81) to close the day in a tie for 65th. Sophomore Kayla Knopik also produced a solid day in her first career start, producing rounds of 78 and 83 to end the first 36 holes in a tie for 69th at 161.

"It was kind of a tough day on the course since it was our first time out, but it was also a beautiful day for golf and it was great to be back playing," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "Although our scores weren't great, I was actually pretty encouraged by a lot of the things we did out on the course. We obviously left a lot of shots out there, especially with our wedge and short games, but we also did some things pretty well. Hopefully we can get back out there tomorrow and improve on some things."

Tuesday's third round is scheduled to begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Live scoring will be available on GolfStat.com.

UCF Challenge
First & Second Round Results
Monday, March 1
RedTail Golf Club (Par 72, 6,301 Yards)
Sorrento, Fla.

Team - Scores
1. Georgia State - 292-299-591
T2. Texas A&M - 293-305-598
T2. Baylor - 300-298-598
T2. Central Florida - 301-297-598
T5. Oklahoma - 298-301-599
T5. College of Charleston - 299-300-599
T7. Coastal Carolina - 302-298-600
T7. Furman - 304-296-600
9. Indiana - 303-300-599
10. SMU - 303-301-604
11. UNC Greensboro - 303-304-607
12. South Florida - 306-305-611
13. Augusta State - 314-301-615
T14. East Carolina - 311-305-616
T14. UTSA - 307-309-616
16. Nebraska - 312-315-627
17. Miami - 311-318-629

Individual Results
1. Julia Boland, Texas A&M - 65-75-140
2. Sarah Zwartynski, Texas A&M - 70-71-141
T3. Charlotte Lorentzen, Georgia State - 68-74-142
T3. Katie Detlefsen, Central Florida - 73-69-142
T5. Natalie Wille, Augusta State - 73-70-143
T5. Paola Valerio, UTSA - 68-75-143
T7. Jessica Alexander, Coastal Carolina - 74-71-145
T7. Rachel Edwards, South Florida - 70-75-145
T7. Cathrine Madsen, Georgia State - 73-72-145
T7. Andrea Sellmeyer, Oklahoma - 73-72-145

Nebraska Golfers
53. Mary Kate Bird - 80-76-156
T54. Maddie Sheils - 81-76-157
T61. JC Stevenson - 76-82-158
T65. Charlotte Wendner - 78-81-159
T69. Kayla Knopik - 78-83-161