Lady'Back linksters in the lead at Tennessee

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FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas women’s golf team posted a one-over 285 to lead after the first round of the 2007 Mercedes Benz Intercollegiate in Knoxville, Tenn., Friday.

Arkansas had three players in the top 20 paced by senior Stacy Lewis and junior Lucy Nunn who both fired two-under 69s. That score is a career-best for Nunn as she helped Arkansas to the two-stroke lead with a 285 – a mark that ranks second all-time at Arkansas.

Freshman Kelli Shean is tied for 19th overall with a one-over 72 followed by sophomore Kristin Ingram with a four-over 75. Sophomore Tiffany Phelps carded an 84 and is tied for 91st.

"I’m really proud of the team," said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes. "I told them that this is what you get up at 5:00 a.m. and are at the golf course at 8:00 a.m. for. They’ve worked really hard for this and their scores reflect that. This is a thinking-man’s golf course and we took great notes yesterday and today and we’ve put ourselves in a good position with two rounds remaining.

Nunn began her day on the back nine playing the first side two-under with birdies on 11, 13, 15 and 18. She was even on the front nine with birdies on seven and eight.

Lewis, who also began her day on the 10th hole, opened with birdies on 11, 14 and 15 and added one on the seventh.

"They both played great," said Estes. "You couldn’t ask for anything more."

Shean, a newcomer from Cape Town, South Africa, opened on the back nine playing the course to plus one, where she remained for the entire round.

Arkansas’ finished its day two better than 12th-ranked Alabama and fifth-ranked host Tennessee who are tied for second at 287. No. 6 Florida is four with a 289, followed by No. 14 Purdue with 291, No. 7 Auburn with 292, No. 24 Michigan State with 292, No. 21 Denver with 293, No. 22 Virginia with 294 and No. 28 LSU with a 295 rounding out the top 10 team scores.

Play at the par-71, Cherokee Country Club continues through Sunday. For more information about Arkansas golf, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.