Lady Vols have good round in bad weather

The weather may have been gloomy Friday afternoon as a cold mist settled over Fox Den Country Club, but the mood of the University of Tennessee women's golf team was definitely not.

The Lady Vols shot a combined 5-under-par 283 in the first round of the 13th annual Mercedez-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships to lead by 13 shots.

Probably not even snow or ice could have cooled off their hot play.

"Everyone has been playing really well," said Lady Vols coach Judi Pavon. "It was great. They were more patient and positive out there all day."

Behind Tennessee at 296 are Kent State and Louisville, followed by Chattanooga (300), and North Carolina State and South Carolina (both at 302).

Tennessee also sits at the top in the individual competition, as Diana Cantu fired a 3-under 69 to lead fellow senior Ginny Brown by one shot.

Sophomore Nathalie Mansson is tied for third with Susana Benavides of Ohio State and Mandi Morrow of Kent State with a 71.

Cantu said she was consistent the whole day and managed birdies on Nos. 3, 4 and 14.

"I had a bogey-free round," the Monterrey, Mexico, resident said. "That doesn't happen often."

Brown, from Austin, Texas, also played consistently, as she said she had only one giveaway shot. She also took a few back, as she made long birdie putts on Nos. 9, 10, and 15.

Freshman Sara Monberg 's 73, which counted as the fourth score for Tennessee, was also impressive, Pavon said.

"I'm really happy for Sara Monberg," the 10th-year coach said. "She had struggled in the first couple of tournaments but she found her game."

The Lady Vols also shot a 5-under in the first round of last year's Mercedez tournament, but ended up eighth. Pavon hopes to avoid a similar letdown.

"We've got a little more experienced team in the lineup," she said.

The team also has more motivation this year.

"I think we have the experience from last year knowing we don't want to give it up," said Brown.

Among the other Lady Vols competing are Erica Popson (74), Leigh Henderson (77), Lauren Spurlock (79), and Rebecca Watson (81).

John Shearer is a freelance contributor.