By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. -- Willamette University women's golfer Maddi Barnett (Jr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) was tied for fourth place after the first round of the UCSC Spring Invitational on Saturday, April 1 at Pacific Grove Golf Links. Barnett and Olivia Bean from host University of California, Santa Cruz, each shot an 85 on Saturday.

Jenna Jenson from Corban University held the lead after 18 holes with a 79. Alissa Thompson of Menlo College (Calif.) was second at 82 and Jana Almeida from Lewis & Clark College was third with an 83. Barnett and Bean were followed by two golfers tied for sixth place. They were Arielle Valdez from L&C and Tiffan Chan from Menlo, each with an 86.

Two golfers, Faith Udy from Corban and Annie McCuthan from L&C, were tied for eighth. Udy and McCuthan each carded an 87.

Lexi Towner (Fr., Chico, CA/Chico HS) of Willamette shot a 92. Willamette did not field a complete team.

Action in the UCSC Spring Invitational is scheduled to conclude with the second round on Sunday, April 2. A total of 22 golfers from five colleges and universities are competing.