University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
FSU Match-Up Tournament
UT in Second at FSU Match-Up
February 15, 2013 | Women's Golf
Feb. 15, 2013
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Lady Vol golf team fired a 3-over par 291 in the opening round of the Florida State Match-Up Tournament Friday to sit in second place. Tennessee is one stroke off the lead as Georgia is 2-over par 290.
"We got off to a shaky start in the first six holes," head coach Judi Pavon said. "We played the back first, which is more difficult but made some unforced errors. The players stayed positive and patient though, and were able to take advantage of some birdie opportunities and make a great comeback."
Leading the way for UT was senior Erica Popson who rounded out the day at 2-under par 70, recording her eighth round this year of shooting par or better. The Davenport, Fla., native is currently in third heading into the second round, four shots off Georgia's Rocio Sanchez Lobato's lead.
Tennessee has three players sitting in the top-15 through 18 holes. Following Popson in third, junior Chessey Thomas shot even-par 72 to sit in a tie for fifth, while sophomore AJ Newell was 1-over par 73 to tie for 12th on the day.
"Erica had a good round today and even felt it could have been better," Pavon said. "A.J. was solid from start to finish. Chessey played her last 12 holes 4-under, and as a team we played the front 9 (out second 9) 5-under."
Rounding out the Lady Vols' fourth score was senior Sara Monberg who is in a tie for 27th at 4-over 76. Sophomore Daeun Song shot 10-over par 82 to sit in a tie for 59th.
Tennessee recorded 15 birdies on the day as Popson led with five, which was third-most among competitors. Thomas notched four and Newell carded two.
UT is eight strokes ahead of UTSA (+11), its matched up team in the tournament.
"Tomorrow is not supposed to be a very nice day so it's good to be in contention and to have played well in pretty good weather," Pavon said.
The Lady Vols tee off at 10 a.m. ET Saturday for the second round.
You can follow live stats at golfstat.com and stay up-to-date by following @LadyVol_Golf on twitter.
| TEAM SCORES (Through One Round) | ||
| 1. | #16 Georgia | 290 (+2) |
| 2. | #33 TENNESSEE | 291 (+3) |
| T3. | Florida State | 295 (+7) |
| T3. | Furman | 295 (+7) |
| 5. | #21 Texas A&M | 296 (+8) |
| 6. | #6 Oklahoma | 298 (+10) |
| 7. | #41 UTSA | 299 (+11) |
| 8. | #15 Notre Dame | 300 (+12) |
| 9. | Michigan | 304 (+16) |
| 10. | Kansas | 310 (+22) |
| 11. | UNC-Greenville | 314 (+26) |
| 12. | UNC-Wilmington | 323 (+35) |
| INDIVIDUAL LEADERS (Through One Round) | ||
| 1. | Rocio Sanchez Lobato, Georgia | 66 (-6) |
| 2. | Laura Wearn, Furman | 69 (-1) |
| 3. | Erica Popson, TENNESSEE | 70 (-2) |
| 4. | Paola Valerio, UTSA | 71 (-1) |
| T5. | Chessey Thomas, TENNESSEE | 72 (E) |
| T5. | Collins Bradshaw, Georgia | 72 (E) |
| T5. | Olivia Hullert, Florida State | 72 (E) |
| T5. | Jessica Negron, Florida State | 72 (E) |
| T5. | Manuela Carbajo Re, Georgia | 72 (E) |
| T5. | Aubrie Street, Furman | 72 (E) |
| T5. | Lindsey Weaver, Notre Dame | 72 (E) |
| UT SCORES (Through One Round) | ||
| 3. | Erica Popson | 70 (-2) |
| T5. | Chessey Thomas | 72 (E) |
| T12. | AJ Newell | 73 (+1) |
| T27. | Sara Monberg | 76 (+4) |
| T59. | Daeun Song | 82 (+10) |
