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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
SEC Championship
Rebels In Fifth After Day One At SEC Championship
4/20/2012 | Women's Golf
April 20, 2012
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Ericka Schneider fired a 2-over 74 to lead the Ole Miss Rebels to a tie for fifth place at the conclusion of a cold and windy first day of action in the SEC Championship at the Blessings Golf Club on Friday afternoon.
In a tournament that features eight of the nation's top-25 teams, the Rebels bested half of those teams in the first round with a team score of 309.
No. 2 Alabama shot a 297 to take the early lead. The Crimson Tide pulled ahead of No. 5 Auburn by nine strokes.
"With the weather conditions we knew today was going to be a demanding day and embraced the challenge," said Ole Miss head coach Michele Drinkard. "Ericka played some of the best golf I have seen from her all year. She won two [NJCAA] national championships at Daytona State and it showed in her demeanor today. Haley Sanders also played very well today, giving herself a lot of opportunities out there on the greens."
Coming off of back-to-back top 20 finishes--the first two of her career--Schneider is in eighth place after the first day. The junior birdied three holes, including a pair in the front-nine of the course.
Schneider carded a better round than three of the nation's top-10 individuals and sits five strokes back from the leader, Patricia Sanz of Auburn.
Junior Haley Sanders also got off to a nice start, shooting a 77. Sanders birdied three of her first eight holes to work her way into a tie for 11th place.
Haley Millsap shot a 79, which lands the senior in 29th place going into the second round, while Natalie Gleadall followed with an 80.
"Tomorrow is a new day and new round," said Drinkard. "Our goal is to come and play with no expectations on outcome and to stick with the process."
Play will continue with the second round Saturday morning. Fans can follow along with live scoring at www.OleMissSports.com. You can also follow the Rebels on twitter at @OleMissWGolf and on facebook at www.facebook.com/OleMissWGolf.
TEAM STANDINGS
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Alabama 297
2 Auburn 306
3 Florida 307
4 Georgia 308
T5 Arkansas 309
T5 Ole Miss 309
7 LSU 310
T8 South Carolina 315
T8 Mississippi State 315
10 Kentucky 317
11 Vanderbilt 318
12 Tennessee 320
OLE MISS INDIVIDUALS
T8 Ericka Schneider 74
T12 Haley Sanders 76
T28 Haley Millsap 79
T33 Natalie Gleadall 80
T47 Taelor Rubin 82
