Sept. 7, 2008
Battling treacherous weather from Hurricane Hanna, the No. 2 Arizona State women's golf team is currently in third place at the NCAA Fall Preview at the par 72, 6,216 yard Caves Valley Golf Course in Owing Mills, Md. The Sun Devils shot a 10-over 586 (295-291) on the first day of the two-day tournament. The Sun Devils are currently four shots off second-place Virginia and seven shots off first place Georgia.
"Considering we did not see one hole of the course due to the storm, I thought the team performed well," says seven year head-coach Melissa Luellen. "It will be fun to apply some pressure to the teams who are only a few shots ahead of us."
Senior Jennifer Osborn finished day one in seventh place. The 2007 All-American carded an even 144 (75-69) to lead the Sun Devils. All-American Azahara Munoz and Anna Nordqvist will enter the final round of the tournament tied for eighth at 1-over 145. Munoz, the reigning NCAA Champion, bounced back after shooting 3-over 75 in the first round to shoot 2-under 70 in the second one. Nordqvist fired out a 69 in the first round and carded a 76 in the second.
Juliana Murcia is currently tied for 35th at 8-over. The junior shot a 76 in both rounds. Liisa Kelo finished the day at 18-over (83-79). In all the Sun Devils carded 20 birdies over the two rounds.
"Now that we have 36 holes on this amazing golf course, I feel as though the confidence will be high tomorrow," says Luellen.
The Sun Devils tee off at 8:00 a.m. ET time tomorrow to conclude the tournament.