March 8, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the third-straight season, the Penn State women's golf team will compete in the Rio Verde Invitational in Rio Verde, Ariz., hosted by Western Michigan. The Nittany Lions will tee off at the 10th Annual Rio Verde Invitational on Friday (March 9) and the tournament will last until Sunday (March 11).
The tournament is set to be played on the par-71, 6,260-yard Quail Run course at the Rio Verde Country Club. Sixteen teams will be competing.
"We are excited about heading out this weekend for our spring trip. We have been fortunate to have many of our practices outside which will help prepare us for our upcoming tournament. We are also fortunate that we have a few days prior to the event this year to practice going into the Rio Verde," said head coach Denise St. Pierre. "Look for our top competition to come from defending champs Eastern Michigan, host school Western Michigan and top-ranked teams Toledo and Xavier."
Penn State is coming off of a one-round tri-match with Western Michigan and Ball State that was played on Wednesday (March 7). The Nittany Lions finished first out of three teams, carding a 315.
Five Nittany Lions will compete as starters, with two other players making the trip as individuals. Sophomore Christina Vosters (Bethany Beach, Del.) leads the Nittany Lions with a 76.3 average, playing in all 16 rounds this season. Junior Emily Ransone (Hilliard, Ohio) will also be in the lineup.
Three freshmen will make starts in the tournament, including Elyse Archambault (St-Jean-sur-Rich, Que.), who finished in second place at Wednesday's tri-match with a 77. Classmates Katlyn Elliott (Peterborough, Ont.) and Erin Michel (Mason, Ohio) will join Archambault.
Junior Jamie Lavin (Deerfield, Ill.) and freshman Catherine Herrera (Houston, Texas) will be the two individuals.
"The players have been working hard in all areas, including skills, fitness and mental preparation. We are confident we can have a great finish at this tournament."
The 54-hole tournament will begin with a 3 p.m. ET shotgun start on Friday. Saturday and Sunday's rounds will both be 10 a.m. ET shotgun starts.