Feb. 4, 2001

Hattiesburg, Miss. -- The Maryland women's golf team stands in tenth place after completing the first round of the Lady Eagles Invitational, hosted by Southern Mississippi University.

Freshman Katie Redeker (Pepper Pike, Ohio.) led all Maryland golfers with a round of 81, and fellow freshman Kara Gropler (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) stand in second of the team with a score of 83.

Florida International's Michelle Simpson stroked a score of 69 (-3) to lead all golfers in the first round of the Southern Miss Lady Eagle Invitational. FIU also holds an eight-stroke lead (309) over second-place North Texas (317). Maryland currently stands at tenth place with a total team score of 334.

The tournament started off with a 38-minute delay due to frost on the course. The late start did not hinder Simpson's performance or her teammate Ellen Dunne, who shares second place with New Orlean's Crystal Elliers in the individual standings with a 75.

The tournament continues on Monday and Tuesday at the Timberton Golf Course in Hattiesburg, with tee times set for 8 a.m. both days.

Competing teams are Arkansas-Little Rock, Austin Peay, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Florida International, Jackson State, Lipscomb, Maryland, New Orleans, North Texas, Sam Houston State, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy State.