Huskers Off to Solid Start in South Carolina

Kiawah Island, S.C. - The Nebraska women's golf team fired an opening-round 307 in its first round of the spring season on Sunday at the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate.

Senior Mary Kate Bird made a successful return to the Nebraska lineup after missing all but two rounds of the fall season. Bird led the Huskers on the 6,001-yard, par-72 layout of the Cougar Point Golf Course by shooting a three-over-par 75 to tie for 24th among 172 players in the 33-team field.

Junior Kayla Knopik added a solid opening round of her own with a four-over-par 76 to sit in a tie for 34th heading into Monday's second round at the 54-hole event.

Junior Madeleine Sheils and freshman Steffi Neisen - Nebraska's top two golfers during the fall season - added solid rounds of 78 to tie for 68th and account for NU's top four scores on the day.

Junior Katie Keiser rounded out the NU lineup with an 83, to enter the second round in a tie for 113th.

Freshman Katelyn Wright notched an opening-round 81 to tie for 95th while playing as an individual outside of Nebraska's lineup. Fellow freshman Remylee Molyneux also competed as an individual and managed an 85 to head into Monday's second round in a tie for 135th.

Miami and James Madison closed the first round in a tie for first in the team standings with eight-over-par scores of 296. The hosts from the College of Charleston sit two shots in front of the Huskers at 305, in a tie with Akron for 10th. Nebraska enters Monday's second round in sole possession of 12th place in the 33-team field.

Only five golfers produced rounds under par, including William & Mary's Betsy Birchall, Campbell's Sarah Bejgrowicz and James Madison's Mary Chamberlain, who closed the day tied atop the leaderboard at 69.

Nebraska will compete in Monday's second round on the 5,907-yard, par-72 layout of the Oak Point Golf Course beginning at 8:30 a.m. The tournament concludes with a final round on Tuesday morning.