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AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Freshman Clara Aveling aced the par-3 fourth hole on Friday afternoon and her opening-round 72 has her, and the Kennesaw State women's golf team, in contention at the 3M Augusta Invitational at the Forest Hills Golf Club.
 
Aveling's even-par round has her tied for ninth, while the Owls shot a 298 (+10) and are tied for fourth in the 16-team field. KSU leads a pair of ranked teams (No. 17 Florida State and No. 21 Texas A&M) with 36 holes to play on Saturday.
 
The Owls are within eight shots of the tournament co-leaders, No. 33 Furman and East Tennessee State. Of the four teams ahead of KSU, three are ranked.

"A lots of highs and lows today on the links," said head coach Rhyll Brinsmead. "The past two weeks we've been working on mental strength and being comfortable outside our comfort zones. The progress we've made in this area was evident today. I'm very happy with the tenacity the ladies showed when things weren't going our way. This is one the most talented groups I've had the pleasure of coaching, and it's a process I'm working on to get them to believe this. With 36 holes tomorrow I'm excited to get out there and earn a win."
 
Aveling sits just three shots back of co-leaders Alice Chen of Furman and Jessica Haigwood of Augusta, who each carded rounds of three-under 69.
 
Freshman Medy Thavong posted an opening-round 74 (+2) and is tied for 17^th, while freshman Charlotte Charrayre and junior Laura Estefenn are tied for 34^th after carding rounds of 76. Junior Dulcie Sverdloff opened with a 79 and is 67^th.
 
With impending rain on Sunday, the tournament will conclude Saturday with 36 holes. The Owls are off in Saturday's second round at 8:30 a.m.

Keep up with Owls women's golf by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and KSUOwlsWmnsGolfor by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.