March 26, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Freshman Kelly Villarreal fired a 78, finishing tied for 19th place to help put the Samford women's golf team in eighth place after the first day of the Lady Blazer Invitational held at the par 72, 5979-yard Inverness Country Club.

Samford shot 322 as a team, 16 strokes behind the leader and host team UAB. Jacksonville State, Northern Iowa and Arkansas State are all one shot back of the Lady Blazers at 307, sharing second place. South Alabama sits in fifth with 313, followed by Troy State (315), Austin Peay (319), Samford (322), Cincinnati (323), Tennessee Tech (327), Evansville (333), Birmingham-Southern (333), Lipscomb (342), and Montevallo (371).

Villarreal had rounds of 40 and 38 to finish in a seven-way tie for 19th place. Junior Tara Clayton (31st) shot an 80 while juniors Sara Gossum, Becky Hammel and freshman Tricia Harlow are all tied for 39th after each firing an 82.

Final round action will wrap-up on Tuesday with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m.