By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A huge second round propelled the Tennessee Tech women's golf team up seven spots Monday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles wrapped up the first day of action at the Blue Raider Invitational in sixth place in a deep field of 16 teams.
After finishing 13th following round one of action at Middle Tennessee's event, the Golden Eagles fired a combined to fire off a clutch 294, the third lowest score of the entire event, to shoot up the rankings into sixth place. The 294 marked the lowest score a Tech squad since 2013 at the Great Smokies Intercollegiate.
Paving the way for the Golden Eagles' success through two rounds was junior Megan Williamson. Returning to her native Murfreesboro, she carded a 76 in round one before turning in a tournament- and career-low 70. Her 146 placed her in a tie for second overall in the 88-player field and her second-round 70 marked the lowest 18-hole score of the year for a Tech golfer.
Not far back in the hunt was sophomore Whitney Robertson, who played extremely consistent golf on the day. The Clarksville native finished with 75s in each round, tying for 20th with a 150 total.
Fresh off back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference Golfer of the Week honors, Maddi Everts bounced back from a tough first round. Totaling 80 after the first 18 holes, the veteran junior rallied for a second-round 72, finishing with a 152 and in a tie for 30th overall.
Sophomore Lydia Triplett and redshirt freshman Anna Cunningham each saw great improvements from round one to two. Triplett shaved six strokes off her first score of 84, carding a 78 over the final 18 holes of the day to finish with a 162. A local Cookeville native, Cunningham finished with a 77 in the second round after an 87 in the first.
Participating as an individual, sophomore Haley Davidson shot consistently on the day, recording matching rounds of 88.
"The girls struggled early today," head coach Polk Brown said, "but I loved their tenacity and willingness to fight in the second round. They played some great golf over the final 18 holes and I can't wait to see how they finish in Murfreesboro."
With just one round left fall play, the Golden Eagles will look to crack into the top five for the third straight tournament Tuesday morning, sitting just nine strokes back of fourth place.
