SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – Luckily, the Carson-Newman women's golf team had the opportunity to play 36 holes at the Ross Rollins Invitational instead of the customary 18 holes.

After a shaky first round at the Mid Pines Golf Club where the team shot a combined score of 328, the Eagles' recovered 10 shots in the second round and are placed in sixth-place at the end of the first day.

Freshman Elizabeth England leads the team shooting a two-round score of 160 (+16) and sits in 22nd place. England shot a first-round 81 and second-round 79.

"We did fantastic on the second 18, coming back and improving by 10 shots where most of the other teams went the other way. We were the exception to the rule. I'm really pleased for that," coach Suzanne Strudwick said. "This is a top-50 golf course in the United States and it showed this morning. Players played a little intimidated by the visual of this golf course. This afternoon, they felt a lot more comfortable with it.

They weren't quite as intimidated and fearful, played a little bit more like they know they can. Looking for good things tomorrow morning."

Senior Danielle Baiunco (Melbourne, Fla.) and junior Meridith Hawkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) finished at +17 to finish the first day tied for 23^rd-place.

Baiunco shot an 81 in the first-round and a second-round 80. Hawkins finished the first day with rounds of 83 and 78 with the 78 being the team's low-score.

Junior Kelli Pemberton shot an 84 and 81 to finish +21 and in 31^st-place.

The final round of the Ross Rollins Invitational tees off Tuesday morning at the Mid Pines Golf Club .

Carson-Newman 328   318   646   +70

22  Elizabeth England 81   79   160  +16

T-23  Danielle Baiunco 80   81   161  +17

T-23  Meridith Hawkins 83   78   161  +17

31  Kelli Pemberton 84   81   165   +20

48  Ashley Kay D     98    98