Pietila, Polo Start Strong in RD 1

February 12, 2017 | Women's Golf

Feb. 12, 2017

Team and Player Leaderboard WGOLF CENTRAL - Northrop Grumman

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. -- Seniors Emmie Pietila and Lucia Polo came back strong from injuries suffered in the fall to card Tennessee's lowest scores in Round One of the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge. In the stacked field, the Volunteers finished the round in 11th place with an overall score of 298.

Team Scores

1. No. 7 UCLA: 280 (-4)
2. No. 2 Southern California: 285 (+1)
3. No. 22 Duke: 287 (+3)

Player Scores

T1. No. 2 Leona Maguire (Duke): 68 (-3)
T1. No. 19 Robynn Ree (Southern California): 68 (-3)
T3. No. 21 Lilia Yu (UCLA): 69 (-2)
T3. No. 50 Mariel Galdiano (UCLA): 69 (-2)
T3. No. 41 Kelly Grassel* (Florida): 69 (-2)
T3. Emmie Pietila* (Tennessee): 69 (-2)
*Competing as an individual

Tennessee Scores

Team (11th Place): 298 (+14)
*T3. Emmie Pietila: 69 (-2)
T20. Micheala Williams: 73 (+2)
T20. Lucia Polo: 73 (+2)
T43. Anna Newell: 75 (+4)
T65. Blakesly Warren: 77 (+6)
T65. Hannah Pietila: 77 (+6)
*Competed as an individual

"This is a tough course and field and there is no doubt we were a little rusty today," said Head Coach Judi Pavon. "We also did a lot of good things, though, so we need to build on those and get better each day."

As a team, UT carded the best Par 3 average (2.95) of the field, going one-under in the round. The Vols also turned in the sixth-most pars (53) and rank seventh in birdie total (11).

"Emmie had a great day today," added Pavon. "I'm so proud of her! She and Lucia had to play in qualifying for this tournament and I think the competition at home helped them coming into the tournament."

Pietila, who is competing as an individual, recorded 69 in her season debut to tie for third place. The Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge marks the Michigan native's first collegiate tournament since the 2016 Clemson Invite.

"It was really fun to compete again," stated Pietila. "I am very thankful to be healthy and have the opportunity to play! I was very focused and I was able to see the shots that I wanted to hit."

Pietila led the field in Par 4 average (3.82) and birdies (6).

"Lucia didn't get off to a great start, but she made several birdies and finished very strong," said Pavon.

Behind Pietila, Polo carded the most birdies for Tennessee. After a rocky first nine, she shot three holes below par to finish the back nine at two-under. Entering the second round, she sits tied for 20th place (+2).

Freshman Micheala Williams tied with Polo after shooting 73 in the round. Williams is ranked as the 99th player in the country by Golfstat.

Finishing tied for 43rd place, junior All-American Anna Newell (tabbed No. 78 by Golfstat) shot 75 on the day.

Hannah Pietila and No. 77-ranked Blakesly Warren carded duplicate rounds of 77, tying for 65th place.

Tennessee begins the second day of competition at 12:12 p.m. ET in pairings with No. 18 Oklahoma State, No. 28 California and No. 24 Ohio State. Emmie Pietila tees off at 12:00 p.m. ET with individuals from No. 6 Florida, No. 2 Southern California and No. 7 UCLA.

For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee women's golf team, visit UTSports.com/w-golf, follow @Vol_WGolf on Twitter and like the Vols at Facebook.com/VolWomensGolf.