March 22, 2002

ATHENS, GA. -- The University of North Carolina women's golf team is tied for ninth place after the first round of the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic. The Tar Heels tallied a 313 total, 16 strokes behind leader Georgia which fired a 297 total. Florida and Furman are tied for second place with 301 totals while Auburn is fourth at 303 and South Carolina is fifth at 305.

Anna Gertsson of Mississippi State grabbed the individual lead after firing a one-under-par 71. Summer Sirmons of Georgia is tied for second place at even par 72. A trio of players is tied for third place at 73 ' Florida's Amanda Dick, Georgia's Angela Jerman and Furman's Leigh Turner.

For the Tar Heels, Ashley Prange and Abby Spector are tied for 10th place as both carded three-over 75. Beth Lever is tied for 47th with an 80 while Romi Irons is tied for 71st place at 83 and Meghan Adams is tied for 81st place at 86.

The 54-hole event continues through Sunday and is being played at the University of Georgia Golf Course which features a par 72, 6,104-yard layout.