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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate
Ole Miss Climbs to Fifth on Day 2 in Denver
10/8/2016 | Women's Golf
The Ole Miss women's golf team gained three spots on the team leaderboard, battling its way to fifth after 36 holes at the Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate.
The Rebels overcame some tough pin placements in Round 2 to match their Round 1 score of 296 and move into the top five going into the final 18 holes.
"We shot the same score as yesterday, but there were some tucked pins that were really tricky out there today," said head coach Kory Henkes. "We started slow with a few big numbers, but really finished strong."
Senior Maria Toennessen led the way for the Rebels going 1-under on the front nine and 1-over on the back nine to finish at an even-par 72.
"Maria played steady all day," Henkes said. "Her length off the tee is helpful out here, which allows her to use higher lofted clubs onto the greens."
The Grimstad, Norway native had three birdies on the day and leads Ole Miss at 3-over for the tournament. She's in solid position, tied for 19th going into the final round. After a good second day in Denver, she's hoping for even more to finish out the event.
"I played well today and kept it simple hitting fairways and greens," Toennessen said. "I made some good putts, but also left some good birdie opportunities out there. I've been hitting the ball really well this week and have been close to shooting under par. Luckily I have one more try, so I'm going to do my best to go low tomorrow."
Sophomore Martina Flori provided the highlight of the day, turning in five consecutive birdies from the 11th through the 15th holes. The Montecatini Terme, Italy native had a difficult front nine, but a chat with assistant coach Drew Belt helped her turn things around on the back nine.
"Coach Drew came up to me on the 10th tee and said, 'Just find momentum for tomorrow.' And I thought 'Ok, let's just have fun these nine holes and find a good feeling for tomorrow.' I started making putts and I made five birdies in a row," Flori said. "It was a little disappointing finishing with two bogeys on 16 and 17, three-putting both of them, but still a great comeback. I'm feeling good and excited for tomorrow."
Senior Madisen Bentley matched Flori, finishing the day at 3-over. Freshman Pi-Lillebi Hermansson used two birdies on the front nine to set the table for another solid day at 2-over, 74.
"Overall we are proud of the team and we are looking forward to one more chance at going low on this course," Henkes said.
Round 3 is scheduled for a shotgun start at 10 a.m. CT.
Team Standings
1. Pepperdine: 280-290--570
2. Denver: 289-285--574
3. Nebraska: 293-295--588
4. Georgetown: 293-296--589
5. Ole Miss: 296-296--592
6. Long Beach State: 296-297--593
T7. Colorado State: 292-302--594
T7. Kentucky: 295-299--594
9. Delaware: 295-301--596
10. UC Riverside: 303-294--597
11. Fresno State: 299-300--599
12. Nevada: 305-297--602
13. San Francisco: 303-301--604
T14. South Dakota: 302-304--606
T14. Wyoming: 297-309--606
16. UALR: 305-308--613
17. Northern Colorado: 308-308--616
18. North Dakota State: 313-316--629
Ole Miss Players
T17. Maria Toennessen: 75-72--147
T26. Katy Harris: 71-77--148
T26. Pi-Lillebi Hermansson: 74-74--148
T46. Martina Flori: 76-75--151
T57. Madisen Bentley: 78-75--153
For all Ole Miss women's golf news and information, go to OleMissSports.com, and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWGolf and Facebook at Ole Miss Women's Golf.
Players Mentioned
