BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Led by senior Lexi Hanson and freshman Maggie Veenendall, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team had a record-setting performance in opening the 2019-20 season with a DII program-best 303 at the Central Region Preview at Adams Pointe Golf Club. USF, which is tied for second in the team standings, will tee off at 8:30 a.m., in the second of two round of the tournament Wednesday.

In carding an 18-hole round total of 303 for second place in the team standings, USF's registered a program-best mark in the NCAA DII era. The Cougars shot a 15-over par total and sit tied with Henderson State and Central Missouri and just one shot behind Rogers State at 14-over par (302). All five USF golfers carded between a 74 and 80 at the same tournament, which had never been done at USF previously. In fact, the 303 is nine shots better than USF's best total of a year ago (312, 1st Rd., Augustana Invitational, 9-29-2018; 2nd Rd., Ramada Mustang Invite, 9-22-2018).

Hanson, a two-time All-NSIC performer and NCAA DII regional qualifier for two straight seasons, led USF with a two-over par 74. Hanson is in a tie for third among individuals with her best round since shooting a 74 on April 8 at the Central Region Spring Preview in Springfield, Mo.  

Veenendall opened her career with an impressive three-over par 75, which places her in a tie for seventh place.

USF first-year head coach Tavia Rutherford was pleased and impressed with the team's first round of the season.

"I am extremely impressed with how the team played today," said Rutherford.  "I am proud of the way they handled themselves emotionally and the strategic decisions they made as they navigated the golf course. I couldn't have asked for a better way to start the fall season by shattering our all-time team low. It is exciting to see what is in store for this team this year," she said.

Besides Hanson and Veenendall, USF had sterling efforts from three juniors.

Sydney Hubbard tied for 13th with a four-over par 76 while All-NSIC Alex Nutter was tied for 34^th with a six over par 78. Lexi Jonas carded an 8-over mark 80 to lead a balanced USF effort, which puts the team at the top of the program's DII leader board with the 303. Hubbard tied her best round since carding a 76 at the Lindenwood Fall Invitational on Oct. 16, 2017. Nutter had her fourth 78 or better round in the past two years while Jonas carded her best round since a 79 in the first round of the Ramada Mustang Invite on Sept. 22, 2018.

In addition, freshman Annie Balduzzi opened her career with a 13-over par 85 which placed her in a tie for 74^th.