March 14, 2014

First Round Results

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MESA, Ariz. - The Ole Miss women's golf team posted a solid opening round at the 2014 Clover Cup on Friday (March 14). The Rebels posted a day one score of 304 behind the strength of a 1-over par, 73, round from junior Stani Schiavone.

"It was great to see Stani play so well today," said head coach Michele Drinkard. "She looks the most confident in her personal game plan than I have ever seen her.  This golf course fits her game and it shows."

Colorado is leading the field after an opening day 4-over par 292, while Notre Dame's Kristina Nhim is on top of the individual leaderboard after firing an opening round 4-under par 68.

Schiavone led Ole Miss and ended the day tied for eighth place with her round of 73. Schiavone likes Longbow Golf Course and at this same tournament last season recorded her best round with a 71 en route to an eighth-place finish.  The Pennsylvania native posted one of the highlights of the afternoon with an eagle on No. 15. She joined Nebraska's Steffi Neisen as the only two players to post an eagle in the round.

"The hole was a little downwind," said Schiavone. "I used my seven iron from 170 yards to 12 feet putted it in from there. It really helped me finish the round with confidence."

In the words of associate head coach Janell Howland it was a "perfect drive, perfect second shot and perfect putt."

"As a team we got off to a slow start which baffled me because of how well we practiced this week," said Drinkard. "I think we need to do a better job of sticking to the process and not making one shot more important than the next. I had a good discussion with each player after the round and would look for us to score better as a team tomorrow."

Alison Hovatter and Abby Newton also posted good opening rounds. Hovatter closed with a 4-over par 76 and hit par 14 times in the round. She is sitting tied for 19th place after first round action. Newton fired a 5-over par 77 and led the team with three birdies in the round. Taelor Rubin closed with a 6-over par 78, while Maria Toennessen is at 8-over par 80.

Kaitlin Voll and Kathryn Fowler are competing as individuals this week. Voll started great by shooting a 4-over par 76. She is tied for 19th and carded the best round in the field of individuals.  Fowler fired an opening round 80 and is sitting tied for 62nd place.

The Rebels open up second round action on Saturday (March 15) at Longbow Golf Club. The Rebels will tee off beginning at 8:54 a.m. (MT). For all Ole Miss women's golf news and information, go to OleMissSports.com, and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWGolf and on Facebook at Ole Miss WGolf.

Team Standings
1. Colorado 292--292
2. Michigan 298--298
3. Notre Dame 299--299
4. Louisville 299--299
5. Nebraska 300--300
6. Ole Miss 304--304
7. Kennesaw State 304--304
8. East Carolina 305--305
9. Tulsa 306--306
10. FIU 307--307
11. UNLV 307--307
12. St. Johns 309--309
13. Maryland 310--310
14. Cincinnati 311--311
15. New Mexico State 312--312
16. Texas 301-300-293--894
17. USTA 301-298-299-898

Ole Miss Individual Standings
T6- Stani Schiavone, 73--73
T19- Alison Hovatter, 76--76
T33-Abby Newton, 77--77
T47 Taelor Rubin, 78--78
T62 -Maria Toennessen, 80 --80

Individuals
T19-Kaitlin Voll, 76 --76
T62-Kathryn Fowler, 80-- 80