By: Michael Pitts
RIO VERDE, Ariz. – The Kennesaw State women's golf team got off to a great start in its defense of its Rio Verde Invitational Championship Friday, placing third after the first round.
The Owls posted a 10-over 298 team scorecard through the first 18, only five strokes behind Golfstat's No. 69 and tournament leader Xavier and two strokes behind second place California Baptist.
Half of the field's participants were unable to finish their first round due to darkness. KSU was one of the nine who were able to complete their first 18 holes.
LEADING THE TEAM:
Senior Bella Kil led Owls with a 1-over 73 scorecard Friday. She notched three birdies on the day and finished tied for 5th.
Kil also led the Owls after the first round of the 2022 Rio Verde Invitational last season.
SCORECARD:
Meva Schmit, Cameron Neilson and Caitlyn Campbell-Nyman were not far behind Kil with all three tallying 3-over 75 scores in the first round.
The trio ended the first 18 holes tied for 21st.
Schmit, Neilson and Campbell-Nyman finished with two, three and four birdies, respectively.
Junior Lara Jecnik finished right behind the group with a 4-over 76 card and two birdies. Jecnik will enter round two tied for 29th in the 93-player field.
GOLF CART NOTES:
>> All five Owls finished round one tied for top 29 or better, the only school in the field with more than three such placements.
NEXT TEE TIME:
KSU returns to the course for round two of the Rio Verde Invitational Saturday, Feb. 25 with an 11:30 a.m. ET shotgun start.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's golf news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWmnsGolf or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
