Lady Raiders to begin spring season on Sunday

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee Women's golf team kicks off the spring season this Sunday at the Lady Moc Invitational hosted by Florida Southern in Lakeland, Fla. MT's competitors for the 4th annual event are freshmen Taryn Durham and Jamey Dillard, sophomores Jenny Kim and Maggie McGill, and senior Kristin Lynch. "Right now, the lineup is kind of like a continuation of the fall season," Head Coach Rachael Short said. Durham made a splash with MT in her first collegiate semester, taking the Lady Raider's top spot in all events for fall 2004 and averaging a 76 in scoring. "Over the break I got a new driver and new clubs. I've been working on getting used to them," Durham said. "I had a really good season last year, so for this tournament I hope to get into the top five." Durham's ambition comes in part from Short, who set a goal of ranking in the top five at every tournament. The Lady Raiders almost achieved the aggressive goal last fall, finishing five or higher at three out of four events. The winter break has given the team time to fine-tune skills and focus on the top five aim for 2005. "Practices have been effective," Short said. "But at this point we are really ready to go. We're tired of practicing and ready to get out there and start playing." During the three-day event, MT will join Northern Kentucky, Western New Mexico, Nova Southern, and various other schools from around the south including two-year Division II champions Rollins College. "There are 18 teams and a lot of Division II schools, but they are some of the best Division II schools," Short explained. "It's tough to compete with some of these schools, but it's a good first tourney to get back into things." Though the competition is fierce, the 54-hole course is a favorite of the Lady Raiders. "It's challenging, but not extremely difficult. We always look forward to this tournament," Short said. "It's been cold here; it'll be nice to have only one layer of clothing. It's been difficult, because if you put on more than 3 or 4 layers, it really limits your movement." The Lady Moc Invitational marks the start of MT's four-week tournament blitz, winding down March 22 at the Samford Collegiate in Alabama.

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Jamey Dillard

Taryn Durham

Jenny Kim

Kristin Lynch

Maggie McGill

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