CONOVER, N.C. -- Barry University women's golf team occupies fifth place after the first day of the NCAA Division II Championships at Rock Barn Golf & Spa Wednesday.
The No. 3-ranked Buccaneers shot 305 in the first round on the par-71, 5,928 yards. The NCAA Championships is a four-day, 72-hole tournament that runs through Saturday. Barry trails leader Lynn by 11 strokes in the 12-team, 72-player field. Rollins is second, three strokes behind the Fighting Knights, after shooting 297. Tarleton State is third at 300, and Central Oklahoma fourth at 301.
Barry's Maria Paola Fiorio is tied for ninth after shooting a 2-over 73. Fiorio had a birdie on the par-4 fourth that moved her to 1-over before she bogeyed the par-5 eighth. The Bucs played the back nine first on Wednesday.
Cal Baptist's Tina Yang is the early individual leader after shooting a 1-under 70. Rollins' Hally Leadbetter is second, a stroke behind. Five players are tied for third at 72.
Barry's Daniela Murray and Nicky Ferre are tied for 29th after both shot 77. Murray and Ferre each had two birdies. Bucs teammate Martina Bertuccioli shot 78, and is tied for 37th. She had two birdies. Nancy Vergara shot 79, and is tied for 46th. She also had two birdies.
The Bucs will tee off at 9:20 a.m. Thursday in the second round.