Lawrence Leads 'Dores at NCAA Preview

Sept. 25, 2007

View Tuesday’s Results / Follow Wednesday’s Final Round via Live Stats

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Vanderbilt senior Liebelei Lawrence shot a second-round, three-under par 70 to vault into a tie for fourth place heading into the final round of the Margaret Branch NCAA Preview at the University of New Mexico Championship Course. As a team, the Commodores are in ninth place with a team score of 593 (295-298).

Lawrence, who has a two-round total of 141, is four strokes behind the leader, Dewi Claire Schreefel of USC (68-69=137). She trails second place Taylore Karle of Pepperdine by three strokes (67-71=138), and third place Alison Walshe of Arizona by two (70-69=139). The Vanderbilt senior and 2007 Mason Rudolph medalist Amanda Blumenherst (73-68=141) sit in fourth place with a 141.

“Liebelei had a great round,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “Conditions were perfect today for good scoring, and I think she set herself for a run at the individual title tomorrow. She can win this thing.”

Lawrence, who only has one bogey in 36 holes of golf, is looking for her first career individual victory as a collegian.

As a team, Vanderbilt is in ninth place after a second-round 298 (295-298) and enters the third round with a 593, 20 strokes behind first-place Duke, who sits at 573 (287-286). The Blue Devils have a four stroke lead on second-place USC (292-285=577), and a nine stroke lead on Arizona State, who is in third place with a 582 (295-287). USC’s 285 was the low round of the day, and many teams made moves on Tuesday with good weather and ideal scoring conditions.

“The conditions were good for scoring today, but we didn’t take advantage of them,” said Allen. “We had it going for the first seven or eight holes, but Jacqui (Concolino) couldn’t get anything going on the back nine. We got a really good score out of Liebelei, but in today’s world of women’s collegiate golf, you need to post three or four good scores to have a chance.

“We’ve got some work to do, and we’re getting close. But, we’re not quite there yet.”

Other scores for the Commodores in the Margaret Branch Fall Preview:
T-31 Brooke Goodwin – 74-75=149
T-39 Jacqui Concolino – 74-76=150
T-56 Megan Grehan – 76-77=153
90 Amber Lundskog – 87-79=166

The final round takes place Wednesday morning at the UNM Championship Course.