RIO VERDE, Ariz. – The Illinois State Redbirds got off to a fast start at the Rio Verde Invitational and are in second place with 36 holes to play in the tournament.

Morgan Jones was the top finisher on the day for ISU with a two-under 70, which has her tied for third individually. Jinyoung Yun is a stroke behind with a first-round 71 (-1) which has her tied for seventh. ISU’s 289 on the first day is tied for the 20th-best single-round score for a tournament in school history.

Cal Baptist is the first-day leader with a 283, while ISU’s 289 has them chasing close behind for the second round tomorrow. Xavier (292), Ball State (293), and Ohio (295) close out the top-five in the tournament, as Missouri State (298), Utah Tech (299), Central Michigan (299), Kennesaw State (300), Wichita State (301), CSU Northridge (302), Akron (303), Western Michigan (304), Bradley (305), South Dakota (306), Creighton (307), Butler (308), Bowling Green (312), Western Michigan “B” (313), Oakland (313), and Loyola (314) round out the 21 teams in the tournament field.

Jones’ two-under round had five birdies and 10 pars for her ninth round under par this season. Yun, also with an under-par round, recorded her 11th at or under par round over 18 rounds this season. Yun had five birdies and nine pars for her round.

Freshman Jessica Jolly shot an even-par 72 over the first round with four birdies and 10 pars, and her 72 is the 10th time this season she has a round at or under par, the most in a season by a freshman in school history, as she stands just inside of the top-10 in a tie for ninth after the first 18 holes. Elise Fennell and Lory Paradis shot matching 76’s in the first round, Fennell with three birdies and Paradis with one, as each are tied for 44th with 36 holes to play.

The Redbirds take back to the course tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. (CT), alongside Bowling Green, South Dakota, and Central Michigan.

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