Morelli, Leclercq in the top 10 after the opening round

SNOW HILL – Junior Victoria Morelli and senior Emma Leclercq both sit in the top 10 on the individual leaderboard after the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Championships at Cutter Creek Golf Club on April 16.

The University of Mount Olive women’s golf team is tied for fifth in the team standings with a 27-over 315 following the initial day of competition. Belmont Abbey holds a two-stroke lead in the standings after shooting a 22-over 310. Defending champion UNC Pembroke ranks second with a 24-over 312 and Emmanuel sits third with a 25-over 313 at the nine-team championship.

Morelli fired a three-over 75 in the opening round to sit sixth overall in a field of 45 competitors. She carded even-par on the front nine with a pair of birdies in a five-hole span. Morelli finished in the top 20 at the Conference Carolinas Championships last season.

The 2021 Conference Carolinas individual champion, Leclercq recorded a five-over 77 in the first round with an even-par on the front nine after a birdie on the par-three third hole. She is tied for eighth on the individual leaderboard and has totaled 14 pars.

Senior Grace Olmstead ranks third on the team and is tied for 17th overall with a seven-over 79. She finished on the back-nine at one-over with eight pars. Senior Elise Davies is currently tied for 31st place with a 12-over 84, while freshman Violette Daudin is tied for 33rd overall and registered a 13-over 85 in the opening round.

The defending individual champion, redshirt senior Georgia Page of UNCP, and teammate Amanda Hamrin are tied for the lead following 18 holes at the three-day event. Both players shot a one-over 73 with three birdies in the first round.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics