April 27, 2007

Nashport, Ohio--At the end of a rigorous 36-hole opening day at the Mid-American Conference Championship, the Northern Illinois women's golf team entered the clubhouse in seventh-place with a team tally of 666 (330-336) at the Longaberger Golf Club [par 72, 6,149 yards].

Kim Hunley (Aurora, Ill.) continues to play well beyond her years as the freshman currently leads the Huskie effort posting a two-round total of 160 (81-79), good for a share of tenth place.

Junior Abbie Many (Mount Prospect, Ill.) sits only three strokes behind Hunley tied for 16th place, finishing the day with a 162 (80-82). Anne Senn (Mount Prospect, Ill.) carded a 173 (83-90), while teammate Lisa Bailey (Decatur, Ill.) follows closely with a 175 (90-85). Sophomore Nicci Schultz (Somonauk, Ill.) rounds out the starting five with a 179 (86-93).

NIU head coach Pam Tyska looks for her team to regroup and deliver a strong weekend performance.

"Longaberger is a very difficult course with its rolling fairways and shifting winds," Tyska said. "We fell victim to bad breaks and were unable to sustain any kind of momentum today, however, I am confident that the Huskies will regroup this weekend and post numbers that reflect their ability."

Kent State's Kira Meixner currently leads the field tallying an impressive one-over-par score of 145 (71-74) while Eastern Michigan's Catherine Fortin occupies second place with a 148. Kent State monopolizes the final three slots of the top-five as Tara Delaney sits third with a 149, while teammates Kirby Dreher and Maddi Swaney are tied for fourth place each slating a 155.

Kent State enjoys a large lead thanks to an opening-day team effort of 602 (+26). Kent State is followed by Eastern Michigan (627), Western Michigan (641), Toledo (647), Ohio (654), Ball State (663), Northern Illinois (666) and Bowling Green (671).

Third round action of the MAC Championship is slated to begin at 8 a.m. (CDT) on Saturday morning.

--NIU--