Smith's 68 Leads UVa at ACC Championships

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April 13, 2007

Charlotte, NC – Thanks to a standout effort by senior Rachel Smith, the 20th-ranked Virginia women’s golf team is tied for third place after the opening round of play at the ACC Championships being held at the Carmel Country Club in Charlotte. Smith fired a 4-under 68 to equal her low score as a collegiate and finish the opening round in second place.

Smith was one of just four players to break par, as Florida State’s Caroline Westrup grabbed the overall lead at 6-under 66.

Smith’s score was her best 18-hole effort since her sophomore season when she carded a 68 during the final day of the College of Charleston’s Cougar Fall Classic to win the tournament and become the first Cavalier player to earn medalist honors at an event. Smith had a total of six birdies, including five on the back nine, during her round. She finished her first nine holes at 1-over.

Virginia finished Friday’s play tied with No. 19 Wake Forest at 9-over 297. Duke, ranked No. 2 in the nation and winners of 11 straight conference titles, took the early lead at 1-under 287. Florida State, ranked No. 23, is second at 290.

All four of UVa’s counters finished in the top-25. Leah Wigger and Kristen Simpson both shot 76 and are tied for 18th. Freshman Whitney Neuhauser is 23rd at 77 while Jennie Arseneault made her return to the Cavaliers’ lineup with an 82 to place 34th. Arseneault missed Virginia’s last outing due to a sore back.

The second round of the ACC Championships takes place Saturday with the final 18 holes slated for Sunday. A live webcast of the final round will start at noon on ACCSelect.com.

ACC Championships
Carmel Country Club
Charlotte, NC
Par 72, 6,293 yards
First Round Results

Team Results

1. Duke 2872. Florida State 2903. Wake Forest 2973. Virginia 2975. North Carolina 3006. NC State 3067. Maryland 3128. Miami 3259. Boston College 344

Individual Leaders1. Caroline Westrup, Florida State 662. Rachel Smith, Virginia 683. Amanda Blumenherst, Duke 704. Jennie Lee, Duke 715. Anna Grzebien, Duke 725. Katie Miller, North Carolina 728. Laura Crawford, Wake Forest 739. Katie Stepanek, Maryland 749. Emily Street, NC State 749. Alison Whitaker, Duke 749. Whitney Wright, Florida State 74

Virginia Results 2. Rachel Smith 6818. Kristen Simpson 7618. Leah Wigger 7623. Whitney Neuhauser 7734. Jennie Arseneault 82