TEGA CAY, SC -- Katie Knoepffler, Morgan Olds and Sammy Sue Wilson each turned in a seven-over-par 79 to propel Elon into first-place after opening-round play at the Shamrock Intercollegiate Friday at the 5,842-yard Tega Cay Golf Course.

Knoepffler (40-39--79), Olds (40-39--79) and Wilson (39-40--79) all snagged a share of a five-way tie for third place in the 71-golfer event, a mere two shots behind co-leaders Jillian Wyne (38-39--77) of St. Mary's (TX) and Brandy Andersen (40-37--77) of Western Carolina. The second round is scheduled for Saturday with the tournament concluding with a third round on Sunday.

Elon (319) leads the 13-team field, followed by Western Carolina (321), St. Mary's of Texas (335), Mercer (343), Gardner-Webb (346), host Winthrop (346), St. Francis of Pennsylvania (346), Ferris State (349), Longwood (349), Wofford (351), Tusculum (370), Queens of Charlotte (371) and Tennessee State (474).

The Phoenix also received solid first-round outings from Alison Mangini (12th, 43-39--82) and Becky Poindexter (Tied-23rd, 42-44--86).

--ELON--