CHESTERTON, Ind. - The Drake University women's golf team assembled two of its strongest back-to-back rounds of the season to sit on top of the leaderboard after the first day of action at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship.
Due to inclement weather Sunday, the teams played two rounds Monday with the Bulldogs carding team scores of 301-297 – 598 to hold a one-stroke lead over SIU heading into Tuesday's final round at the par-72 Sand Creek Country Club.
"I'm so proud of everyone today," said Drake head coach
Rachael Pruett. "We had some bumps along the way, but we stayed focused and believed we could bounce back."
The Bulldogs were in second after the first round, but the afternoon 297 made up two strokes on SIU and nine strokes on third-place Missouri State. However, the top six teams on the leaderboard are separated by just 11 strokes.
"The leaderboard is really tight and it's still anyone's to win," Pruett added. "It's going to be fun out there tomorrow and we look forward to competing."
All five of the Bulldogs' competitors are in the top 20 individually with freshman Haeri Lee leading the way in third thanks to a 73-74 – 147 afternoon. Aimee Gerschke was two strokes back in a tie for eighth at 75-74 – 149.
Lee's opening round 1-over par 73 featured 16 pars while her afternoon 74 included a trio of birdies on the front nine.
Senior Grace Dunn had two of her lowest rounds of the season in carding a 75-76 – 151 in a tie for 11th while Kristen Giles showed great resolve in bouncing back from a pair of triple bogeys with four birdies to finish in a tie for 19th at 79-74 – 153.
Sigurlaug Run Jonsdottir also finished at 153 with rounds of 78-75.
The strong opening day puts the Bulldogs in position to win the team's MVC title since the program's start in 2007. The team has finished second or better in the event twice in its history but not since 2010.
"Whatever happens, I'm so proud of all the work the team has put in and how they have pushed each other to be better," Pruett added.
The Bulldogs' final round starts Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. with live results available via Golfstat.com
Team Standings
1. Drake, +22, 301-297 – 598
2. Southern Illinois, +23, 300-299 – 599
3. Missouri State, +31, 301-306 – 607
T4. Bradley, +32, 305-303 – 608
T4. Loyola, +32, 304-304 – 608
6. Indiana State, +33, 314-295 – 609
7. Northern Iowa, +36, 311-301 – 612
8. Illinois State, +50, 312-314 – 626
9. Evansville, +51, 307-320 – 627
10. Valparaiso, +67, 326-317 – 643
1 Drake 301 297 598
T3. Haeri Lee, 73-74 – 147
T8. Aimee Gerschke, 75-74 – 149
T11. Grace Dunn, 75-76 – 151
T19. Kristen Giles, 79-74 – 153
T19. Sigurlaug Run Jonsdottir, 78-75 – 153
