By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

OWENS CROSSROADS, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf finished off the first of three rounds of action at Samford's Huntsville.org Intercollegiate Monday afternoon, competing at the Highlands Course at the Robert Trent Jones Trail at Hampton Cove.

The purple and gold tallied a first-round total of 298 as a team, tying for fourth place among the 16 programs in the field with North Alabama. Lipscomb delivered the top score of the day, firing an even-par 288 to hold an 8-stroke lead over Oakland. The Bisons' Lauren Thompson paced all individuals with an eye-popping, 5-under 67. 

For the Golden Eagles, it was senior Ainsley Simms setting the tone with a 1-under 71. The Tech veteran tied for sixth among the 83 golfers in competition, piling up an impressive six birdies to tie for the lead in the entire field.

Next on the leaderboard for the Tech squad was Kaydi Rhodes, tying for 15th on day one. The sophomore turned in three birdies on her way to a 3-over 75. 

Freshman Chloe Griffith and senior Gittle Sciolis each tied for 23rd following the opening trip around the links, producing scores of 76. Griffith carded a pair of birdies with 11 pars while Sciolis produced three birdies to go along with eight pars. 

Rounding out the lineup for the Cookeville crew, Reagan Stuke concluded the opening round of action tied for 45th overall. The junior put together three birdies with eight pars to finish with a 78.

The second round of the Huntsville.org Intercollegiate is slated to kick off with tee times beginning at 8:00 a.m. CT. The Golden Eagles will feature tee times from 8:50 to 9:30. With inclement weather expected in the Owens Crossroads area on Tuesday, fans should check TTUSports.com and social media for updates concerning round two of play.

File photo by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Athletics Communications