SOUTH JORDAN, Utah—The Biola women's golf team had an exciting first day of play at the Glenmoor Golf Club.

"I really felt like this wasn't our best day and yet it was good enough for today," stated head coach Jane Carr. "I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.  We've only been together as a team for two weeks so they are getting back in the stride of school and travel which is the challenge of being a student athlete.  This was a great start for us and I think they will be more settled and even sharper tomorrow."

The Eagles had two teams participating in the Westminster Wasatch Invitational. Their "A" team finished the first round in first place (+10) and their "B" team finished ninth (+37).

On Biola's "A" team was Melanie Reyes, Laura Ortiz, Theresa Shaw, Karis Haltom and Claire Shubin who teamed up to card 298. 

Biola had three golfers in the top 10. Reyes led Biola on the leaderboard, finishing her first round second with her par-72 scorecard.

"Melanie was on fire today making three birdies in four holes down the stretch on holes 12, 13, and 15," explained Carr. "She was hitting greens and making incredible 10-15 foot putts for birdie. Hole 12 could have shifted the momentum either way given that Melanie was in a bedrock of stones just off the fairway with her tee shot.  Once I saw the lie I knew this was going to be a low percentage shot.  Despite not being given relief she put the shot on the green to about 12 feet and made birdie."

Carr continued, "Melanie has really learned to control emotions, accept the uncontrollables, and make shots when they are needed.  I couldn't be prouder of the way she handled herself on the course today.  A great start for her senior year."

Ortiz and Theresa Shaw finished their first rounds tied for fifth, both recording two-above-par (74).

"Laura and Theresa had great rounds," stated Carr. "They played the course strategically and made so many up and downs to save par."

Shubin, a graduate transfer from Dominican University, concluded her first round as a Biola Eagle. Shubin carded 6-above-par, which landed her T19 on the leaderboard (78).

Carr added, "Claire had a solid round, her first round as an Eagle after transferring from Dominican.  I'm very excited to have her on our team this year.  She adds a veteran perspective for our younger players, a perspective that our young players need."

Rachel Shaw, Abigale Morris, Hailey Hays, Mailinh Vu, and Emily Cons made up BU's "B" team who recorded 325 in their first round.

Cons and Morris led BU's "B" team. The pair were tied for 19th after their first rounds with scores of 78.

Biola begins their second round tomorrow at 7:30 am MT (6:30 am PT).