Sept. 25, 2001

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Two from Samford University's women's golf team finished in the Top 15, led by freshman Kelly Villareal's 11th place finish, and the Bulldogs placed fifth of seven teams at Belmont's Lady Bruin Invitational at the Nashville Golf and Athletic Club.

Villareal (88-82=170) led the Bulldogs, followed in 14th by Sara Gossum with a 174 (89-85) and Tara Clayton (91-88=179) in 19th position. Tricia Harlow fired a 182 (94-88) and Becky Hammel rounded out the Bulldog roster with a 189 (97-92). Freshman Courtney Sanders, playing as an individual, shot 89-95=184. Western Carolina's Rebecca won the individual title with a 76-75=151.

Western Carolina also claimed the team title with a 36-hole total of 662. Appalachian State placed second at 677, followed by Birmingham-Southern (681), host Belmont (696), Samford (705), Mercer (728) and Lipscomb (731).

Villareal's performance means that Samford's men's and women's teams were led by true freshmen in their first collegiate tournaments.