By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – In what has basically become a three-horse race for the title at the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate, the Tennessee Tech women's golf team finds itself right in the middle of the conversation for first place after the first day of play.

Sitting just one back of Ohio Valley Conference foes and the event leaders Belmont and Murray State, the Golden Eagles look poised to build off an impressive opening round Monday. Tech combined to card a 302 as a team through the tournament's first 18 holes, sitting in third place and nine strokes ahead of the next team, host Austin Peay.

The Golden Eagles received huge first-round scores from Whitney Robertson and Maddi Everts to stay in the hunt for a championship, as well as solid contributions from each of the rest of the team.

"The girls did a fantastic job of continuing their momentum from Charleston," head coach Polk Brown said. "Both Maddi and Whitney continue to play well and set the pace for the team. I'm excited to see what happens tomorrow. I know we are capable of taking home the title and I can't wait to see our girls go out and compete."

Back in her hometown, Robertson sits all alone in first place in the event after dropping a 72 to remain even for the event. The score matches the lowest for the sophomore this season, who also tallied 72s at the Jan Weaver-Murray State Invitational and last week's CSU Wendy's Invitational.

Everts, the reigning OVC Female Golfer of the Week continued her hot start to the season, carding a first-round 73 to sit in a tie for second overall. The junior veteran has now shot 73 or better in each of her last three rounds.

Fellow junior Megan Williamson finished the day in a tie for 18th, turning in a 78 to help keep the Golden Eagles within striking distance of the title. Sophomore Lydia Triplett and redshirt freshman Anna Cunningham each carded 79s on the day to round out the scorers for the Tech squad.

Both Cunningham, a Cookeville native, and Triplett sit in a tie for 20th overall with another fellow Golden Eagle, Allison Geer. The junior carded her own 79 while competing as an individual Monday afternoon. Also taking part in the action as an individual was Haley Davidson, a sophomore from Chattanooga. She wrapped up play on day one with an 89.

The second and final round of the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate will commence Tuesday with an 8:30 a.m. CT shotgun start.