By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Willamette University women's golfer Maddi Barnett (Sr., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) was in fourth place and teammate Lexi Towner (So., Chico, CA/Chico HS) was tied for seventh place at the end of the first round of the Willamette Valley Cup on Saturday, March 17 at Trysting Tree Golf Club. Annika Clunk of Lewis & Clark College and Briana Finau of Pacific University were tied for first place with matching scores of 81. The tournament is scheduled to conclude with the second round on Sunday, March 18.

"A lot of improvement has been happening throughout the entire team, and it's starting to show in their scores," said Willamette Assistant Coach Ryan Melnychuk. "We just need to start a little better tomorrow and avoid the really big numbers. I could see everyone improving by two to six shots tomorrow if we do."

Lewis & Clark topped the team standings with a score of 352. Pacific University was second at 360. Linfeld College was third at 384 and Willamette was fourth at 395.

Clunk and Finau held a one stroke lead over Mady Rhodenbaugh of L&C, who held third place with an 82. Barnett was fourth after carding an 84. Madeline Rice from Linfield was sixth with an 87 and Tiana Yamaoka, also from Linfield, was sixth with an 89.

Towner and Jane Almeida from L&C were tied for seventh at 91. Hannah Thornburg of Pacific was ninth after shooting 92.

"Lexi Towner had a great front nine today (41)," Melnychuk commented. "I think it was her low so far this spring."

Also competing for Willamette were Kristen Barclay (So./Fr., Kenmore, WA/Cedar Park Christian School) and Katerin Vasquez (Fr., Indio, CA/Coachella Valley HS). Barclay registered a score of 97 and Vasquez shot 123.