SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – Junior Meridith Hawkins (Powell, Tenn.) picked up her first top-20 finish of the 2014 season at the Ross Rollins Invitational as she led the Carson-Newman women's golf team to a sixth-place finish at the Mid Pines Golf Club.

Two Eagles lowered their scores from the first day of competition. Hawkins lowered her score every round and finished tied for 19^th with a score of 238 (+21).

"Really pleased with Meridith and Kelli, both grinded for a 77 when not on their best ball-striking day," coach Suzanne Strudwick said. "Elizabeth would have been right there too but for a nine on 16. Over all, this performance showed us where we need to practice more. Going into next week, we will be focusing on putting and short game.

I sound like a broken record because last year was the same issues, so we will continue to press the issue until we get it at a high standard."

Junior Kelli Pemberton (Knoxville, Tenn.) was the other Eagle golfer to lower the score, finishing with a final round score of 77. Pemberton finished the tournament tied for 26^th with a 242.

Freshman Elizabeth England (Oakland, Tenn.) shot a final round 82 and finished the Rollins Invitational tied for 26^th. Senior Danielle Baiunco (Melbourne, Fla.) finished the tournament tied for 29^th after shooting an 83 Tuesday morning.

Freshman Ashley Kay (Palos Heights, Ill.) shot a 95 to finish the tournament in 48^th-place.

Nova Southeastern University won the team event and Rollins's Madison Lellyo won the individual competiton 

The Eagles play at the Etowah Intercollegiate on September 22^nd and 23^rd at the Etowah Valley Country Club in Etowah, N.C.

6 Carson-Newman 328 318 317

T-19th Meridith Hawkins 83 78 77 238

T-24 Kelli Pemberton 84 80 77 238

T-26 Elizabeth England 81 79 82 242

T-29 Danielle Baiunco 80 81 83 244

48 Ashley Kay 0 98 95 193