Eagles prepare for major test at Ross Rollins Invitational

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – A stout tournament lies ahead for the Carson-Newman women's golf team at the Ross Rollins Invitational at the Mid Pines Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.

Six of the eight teams competing finished the 2014 season ranked in the top-25, including the host Rollins Tars who finished last season second. The Wingate Bulldogs are the only other South Atlantic Conference team making the trip to Southern Pines.

Other teams are the tournament includes: No. 3 Barry, No. 5 Nova Southeastern and No. 12 Saint Leo.

Two years ago, the Eagles finished four in this tournament, being led by then freshman Meridith Hawkins (Powell, Tenn.) and sophomore Danielle Baiunco (Melbourne, Fla.). Hawkins finished the tournament in fourth place and Baiunco finished tied for sixth.

Hawkins and Baiunco will be the leaders for Carson-Newman once again as they head back to the same tournament

"I'm really happy to head back to Pinehurst," senior golfer Danielle Biaunco said. "We had a great showing here two years ago so we are going in with a lot of excitement."

The Eagles will be looking to finish higher than their fifth-place showing at last weekend's Smokey Mountain Intercollegiate. Carson-Newman entered the last day of the SMI in second before a few bad holes cost the team three spots in the rankings.

The Eagles tee off Monday morning.

-CN-