LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – Led by a balanced group of performances, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team opened the spring season with a first-round total of 328 which placed the Cougars fourth at the SMSU Spring Invite which opened Monday at the Wigwam Resort Red Course.

Western New Mexico, which is led by the individual leader Brenda Dominquez with a two-over par 74, leads the team competition with a 34-over par 322. Lindenwood is second with a 35-over par 323 with Fort Hays State, third with a 38-over par 326. USF, which has placed fourth or better in four straight tourneys, had a 40-over par 328 for fourth place but sit just six strokes out of first and two from third place. The rest of the teams and their placings include Rockhurst, 5th, 59-over par, 347; Bemidji State, 6th, 67-over par, 355; and host school SMSU, 68-over par, 356.

The Cougars, which will begin tee off times Tuesday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. (CST), were led by sophomore Sydney Hubbard, who carded an eight-over par 80 and is tied for fourth overall. Both junior Lexi Hanson and sophomore Alex Nutter stand tied for sixth with a nine-over par 81. Both Hubbard and Nutter tied for second on the day with 12 pars while Hanson was fourth with 11. Sophomore Lexi Jonas had a 14-over par 86 which is tied for 20th.  Sophomore Kyleigh Moran carded a 17-over par 89 and is tied for 27th overall.

Junior Taylor Sudenga and freshman Kelsey Wilde played as individuals with Sudenga carding an 86 and a tie for 22nd while Wilde had a 90 as she was tied for 27th overall.