By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team moved up a spot on the leaderboard following the second day of play at the 2022-23 Ohio Valley Conference Championships Monday afternoon, improving by three strokes while competing on the Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals.

The Golden Eagles leap-frogged Lindenwood to take over third place in the standings through two rounds, posting a 319 for a 641 overall score and a three-stroke lead over the Lions. Morehead State extended its lead at the event, serving a 303 to move to 610 for the week and a seven-shot lead over second-place Little Rock.

Morehead's Ruth Toennessen took over the sole lead on the individual leaderboard, moving in front by three shots with a 149. The OVC's Freshman of the Year turned in a 75 on the day.

The purple and gold saw a resurgence from Ainsley Simms, who took over the lead for the Tech squad behind the 34-golfer field's top round of the day. The junior carded a 1-over 73 with a pair of birdies and 14 pars to her name, tying for eighth with a 158 total.

Rookie Kaydi Rhodes also delivered an improvement from Sunday, shaving four strokes off her first career round at the OVC Championships for a 79. Tying for 12th, the freshman picked up one birdie to sit at 162 with a round to play.

Also tied for 12th with a 162 through two rounds was Makenzie Morton. After leading the Golden Eagles on Sunday, the senior posted an 84 on Monday with one birdie.

Continuing a strong run of Golden Eagles in the top-20, Elisabeth Toennessen finished the second day of action 16th overall following an 83. The senior picked up one birdie while sitting just one shot back of Rhodes and Morton.

Rounding the Tech lineup tied for 17th was Katrine Toennessen, sporting a 165 overall. The senior registered an 84 on day two with 11 pars to her effort. 

The third and final round of the OVC Championships is set to kick off Tuesday morning with tee times starting at 8:00 a.m. CT.

File photo by Emily Armstrong