GOODYEAR, Ariz.---The Biola women's golf team made a statement in their first round of the RJGA Palm Valley Classic.

"Incredible day today for our ladies," shared head coach Jane Carr. "We knew we could score well on this course, but it is one thing to know it is possible and another thing to do it. It was fun to watch them sinking birdies right and left. They were very focused and poised throughout the round. They have a lot of determination and resolve and it really showed today."

Biola's A Team made program history, shattering the school record for the lowest single round team score. The A Team recorded six-under-par 282 which is six strokes better than the previous team single round record of 288. 

The Eagles' A Team was first on the leaderboard after the first round. They finished above nationally-ranked #13 West Texas A&M, #15 UT Tyler, #32 Cal State East Bay, #35 Colorado State-Pueblo, #45 Texas A&M International and #49 Lubbock Christian.

Carr continued, "It is always fun to add to the history books of Biola Women's Golf. We have been knocking on the door of breaking our low team round and today the team made a huge statement with a 282." 

Claire Shubin led Biola's A Team, recording a career-best single round of four-under-par. 

"Claire struggled in Tucson and I knew she was going to come back strong in Phoenix," stated Carr. "She is one of the fiercest competitors I know."

"I'm thankful the team had the set of earlier tee times so we could avoid some of the afternoon wind, and give us a chance to relax and reset before tomorrow," reflected Shubin. "Today I hit a lot of fairways and greens so I just did a good job at keeping things simple."

At the end of the first round Shubin was tied for first with West Texas A&M's Anna Nomrowski  and Colorado-State Pueblo's Lisa Ekberg (68). Shubin carded five birdies in her first round.

Behind Shubin was Melanie Reyes (7th, -2), Theresa Shaw (T9, E), Karis Haltom (T9, E) and Rachel Shaw (T22, +1). BU's A Team totaled 18 birdies in the first round. Shubin led her squad with five birdies and was followed closely by Haltom who had four. Reyes, Theresa Shaw and Rachel Shaw each recorded three.

Biola's B Team included Hailey Hays, Laura Ortiz, Abigale Morris, Sofia Ingle and Emily Cons. The B Team ended the first round tied for 18th of the 22 teams with a first round score of 311. The B Team placed ahead of PacWest Conference opponent Hawaii Hilo who scored 314.

Hays and Ortiz led the B team with first round scores of three-above-par 75 (T39). Following Hays and Ortiz was Morris (T72, +6), Ingle (T103, +11) and Cons (T108, +12).

Hays led the B squad with four birdies, Hays had three, Ortiz recorded two and Cons and Morris had one each.

Biola continues their final round of the RJGA Palm Valley Classic tomorrow Saturday, April 5th.