May 11, 2005

Silver City, NM. - Grand Valley State shot a first-round total of 305 (+13) and are in second place, just five shots back of two-time defending National Champion Rollins College, after the first day competition at the 2005 NCAA DII Women's Golf National Championships. GVSU is three shots ahead of third plce Florida Southern (308) and 10 strokes ahead of Minnesota State-Mankato (315). Ferris State is fifth after a shooting a 316. GVSU will compete in the second of four rounds Thursday.

Senior All American Melissa Sneller leads the way for the Lakers after shooting a one-over par 74 in round one. Sneller is tied for second, while Laura Leatherman is tied for fifth after shooting a three-over par 76. Kate McDonald shot a 77 and is tied for 11th and Enid Gage fired a 78 which places her tied for 17th. Kristi Vienneau is tied for 22nd after carding a 79.

"I thought we turned in a solid first round," said GVSU head coach Lori Stinson, who was the 2004 NCAA DII Coach of the Year. "The ladies played smart golf for 18 holes and kept their focus," added Stinson.