Rockets in Third After Day One of MAC Championship; Chaiyapan, Hunt Tied for Fourth

FISHERS, IN - Toledo sits just six strokes out of the lead and is in third place following Friday's opening round of the 2012 MAC Championship being held at the Hawthorns Golf & Country Club. Seniors Piyathida Chaiyapan and Georgina Hunt are tied for fourth place and leading the Rockets after carding two-over par 74s.

Chaiyapan began her day with two bogeys and two birdies on the first four holes before settling down on the back nine with one birdie and one bogey. Hunt was even at the turn before bogeying No. 13 and No. 17.

Junior Allison Schultz also produced a solid showing for the Midnight Blue and Gold and is tied for ninth place at four-over par 76. After double-bogeying the 14^th hole, she rebounded with a birdie on No. 15 and closed out her round with three pars.

Rounding out the Rocket lineup are sophomore Kate Hoops (T-21^st/80) and freshman Lauren Stephens (T-35^th/84). Hoops was at four-over through 15 holes but a quadruple bogey on No. 16.

"It was a great day for us to start the MAC Championship," Toledo Head Coach Nicole Hollingsworth said. "I'm really pleased at how well we came out and played, and we're playing well at the right time."

For only the third time in championship history, there is a team name atop the leader board after day one that is not Kent State.  Ball State, carded a team score of 298 to hold a three-stroke lead on the Golden Flashes and six shots in front of the Rockets (304). Ohio (1999) and Western Michigan (2004) are the only other teams to hold an 18-hole lead besides Kent State in the 13-year history of the tournament.

KSU's Shamira Marshall holds the 18-hole individual lead after shooting an even-par round of 72.  Eastern Michigan's Shannon Wagner and Ball State's Katie Windlan are tied for second at 1-over par. 

WMU and the rest of the field will continue the 2012 MAC Women's Golf Championships Saturday morning with tee-times beginning at 8:30 a.m.  The Rockets will tee off from 10:10 a.m. through 10:40 a.m.

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Ball State 298 (+10); 2. Kent State 301 (+13); 3. Toledo 304 (+16); 4. Eastern Michigan 310 (+22); 5. Akron 316 (+28); 6. Western Michigan 321 (+33); 7. Northern Illinois 333 (+45); 8. Ohio 334 (+46); 9. Bowling Green 336 (+48)

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
1. Shamira Marshall (KSU) 72 (E); T2. Shannon Warner (EMU) 73 (+1); T2. Katie Windlan (BSU) 73 (+1); T4. Piyathida Chaiyapan (UT) 74 (+2); T4. Georgina Hunt (UT) 74 (+2); T4. Jenna Hague (BSU) 74 (+2)

TOLEDO INDIVIDUALS
T4. Piyathida Chaiyapan 74 (+2); T4. Georgina Hunt 74 (+2); T9. Allison Schultz 76 (+4); T21. Kate Hoops 80 (+8); T35. Lauren Stephens 84 (+12)