By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team put forth a strong showing on day one of the Terrier Intercollegiate Monday, shining particularly in the second round of action at the Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg, S.C.

The Golden Eagles ended round one in a tie for ninth after posting a 315, but the purple and gold were just getting started on the day. Following round two, the Cookeville crew jumped up to seventh among the 14 teams in competition, firing a 299 to sit just one shot back of sixth with a score of 614.

Samford topped the leaderboard behind a two-round score of 593, edging out Elon by a single shot for first place. Winthrop's Constanca Mendonca ended the day first among the 75 golfers in the field, sitting six strokes above everyone else with a 136.

Pacing the purple and gold with a spectacular day on the links was veteran Gittle Sciolis, ranking third overall behind an even-par 144. The senior tallied three birdies on her way to a 2-over 74 in the opening round and another four birdies and 12 pars in the second round for a career-best, 2-under 70.

Rookie Chloe Griffith tied for 30th overall after totaling a 155 on the day, starting things off with a 79 and one birdie. The freshman shaved three strokes from the effort in round two, sinking two birdies as part of a 76.

Tied for 40th with one round to play was Reagan Stuke and her two-round showing of 158. The junior carded an 84 with a pair of birdies to kick off the day and slashed a whopping 10 shots for her second-round performance of 74, delivering three more birdies to the table.

Next for the Golden Eagles was senior Ainsley Simms, posting an 82 and 79 with a combined three birdies to tie for 50th with a total of 161 for the day. Sophomore Kaydi Rhodes rounded the Tech lineup behind a two-round total of 165, accounting for two birdies and scores of 85 and 79. 

Making her season debut while competing as an individual was Sydney Branson. The sophomore tallied rounds of 83 and 88 to finish day one with a combined score of 171.

Tech will conclude fall action with the final round of the Terrier Intercollegiate on Tuesday. Play will begin with tee times ranging from 7:15 a.m. CT to 10:03 a.m. 

File photo by David Oghenekaro