ONEONTA, Ala. -- Senior Carley Rhyne led the way for the Tennessee Tech women's golf team as it opened the spring season by finishing seventh at the 54-hole Samford Invitational, held Monday and Tuesday at Limestone Springs Golf Course.

Rhyne was the only Golden Eagle golfer to find any consistency on the course, carding scores of 86, 85 and 82 to finish with a 253 total and puther in a tie for 30th place among he 46 individuals in the field.

Tech posted team scored of 332, 333 and 344 to finish the event with 1,009 strokes. Samford and Troy tied for the lead at 907, and Samford earned the title in a one-hole playoff. Jacksonville State (909) was third, followed by South Alabama (942), Belmont (971), Evansville (987), Tech (1,009) and Birmingham Southern (1,022).

Troy's Liz Balkcom won the individual medalist honors by shooting 74-73-72--219 for a one-shot victory.

Brandy VanEtten finished 32nd for the Golden Eagles, posting scores of 78, 84 and 92 for her 254 total, one stoke behind Rhyne. Finishing third for Tech was Katherine Bell, the team's first-round leader after shooting a 77 Monday. Bell followed with scores of 93 and 86 for a 256 total and 3rth place. Katy Beth Glover tied for 36th place at 91-84-85--260. The fifth entry for the Golden Eagles, Amanda Randolph withdrew from the first round, then carded rounds of 80 and 91.

Tech's next event is the Low County Intercollegiate, hosted by Wofford University. Slated for Sunday and Monday, the tourney will be held in Hilton Head, S.C.