University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
NCAA Regionals
Popson Leads UT in Opening Round of NCAA Regionals
May 09, 2013 | Women's Golf
May 9, 2013
Round 1 Results | Round 2 Tee Times
AUBURN, Ala. - Lady Vol golfer Erica Popson fired a 5-under par 67 to open NCAA action at the East Regional at the Auburn Golf Club in Auburn, Ala., Thursday.
The senior is tied for first with Arkansas' Emma Lavy and Alabama's Emma Talley after first-round action where she recorded six birdies.
"I felt like I played well," Popson said. "I got off to just a steady start. I haven't been playing well in the last month, month and a half or so. I've really been struggling, so I was really nervous coming in."
It was the best round for Popson since the Cougar Classic this season where she shot a 4-under 68 in the final round. Her 67 also marks the second-best round of 18 of her career. The Davenport, Fla., native has now recorded 14 rounds in the 60s during her time at UT.
"I played really good here two years ago at the SEC Championship, so I had good memories and good energy on this golf course. I was really happy that we were coming back to Auburn for regionals this year. I just played solid today on the greens and putted really well. I was happy with the way I played."
Following Popson is sophomore AJ Newell who is tied for 33rd at 1-over 73. Senior Sara Monberg, junior Chessey Thomas and sophomore Daeun Song are all tied for 70th with a 77 (+5) card.
"Erica had a great day today," head coach Judi Pavon said. "She has been due for a good round and it came at a good time. She kept us in the tournament today. AJ also had a really solid day and played well."
"As a team, we will be within a few shots of the magic number of eighth, so with a good day tomorrow, we can put ourselves in good position. We need all five players to play well tomorrow. We had some unforced errors out there today and we need to clean it up. This field is way too competitive to make many mistakes."
Tennessee is currently in 10th place with a 294 (+6) first-round total. Alabama leads the competition at 11-under 277.
The Lady Vols begin second round action at 11:50 a.m. CT/12:50 p.m. ET tomorrow when they tee off the first tee with Kentucky and Northwestern. Live stats are available at GolfStat.com.
| TEAM STANDINGS (Through One Round) | ||
| 1. | Alabama | 277 (-11) |
| T2. | Arkansas | 283 (-5) |
| T2. | Tulane | 283 (-5) |
| 4. | UCLA | 288 (E) |
| 5. | Texas | 289 (+1) |
| T6. | Oklahoma State | 290 (+2) |
| T6. | North Carolina | 290 (+2) |
| T8. | Northwestern | 292 (+4) |
| T8. | Notre Dame | 292 (+4) |
| 10. | TENNESSEE | 294 (+6) |
| 11. | East Tennessee State | 297 (+9) |
| T12. | Mississippi | 299 (+11) |
| T12. | Auburn | 299 (+11) |
| 14. | Virginia | 300 (+12) |
| T15. | Kentucky | 301 (+13) |
| T15. | East Carolina | 301 (+13) |
| T15. | Texas State | 301 (+13) |
| 18. | FIU | 304 (+16) |
| 19. | Chattanooga | 309 (+21) |
| 20. | Penn State | 310 (+22) |
| 21. | UCF | 312 (+24) |
| 22. | James Madison | 316 (+28) |
| 23. | Eastern Kentucky | 321 (+23) |
| 24. | Alabama State | 335 (+47) |
| INDIVIDUAL LEADERS (Through One Round) | ||
| T1. | Erica Popson, TENNESSEE | 67 (-5) |
| T1. | Emma Lavy, Arkansas | 67 (-5) |
| T1. | Emma Talley, Alabama | 67 (-5) |
| T4. | Jackie Chang, North Carolina | 68 (-4) |
| T4. | Stephanie Meadow, Alabama | 68 (-4) |
| T4. | Emily Penttila, Tulane | 68 (-4) |
| UT SCORES (Through One Round) | ||
| T1. | Erica Popson | 67 (-5) |
| T33. | AJ Newell | 73 (+1) |
| T70. | Sara Monberg | 77 (+5) |
| T70. | Chessey Thomas | 77 (+5) |
| T70. | Daeun Song | 77 (+5) |
