Valparaiso’s women’s golf team opened the spring portion of its schedule on Thursday morning, and currently sits in a tie for seventh place at the Sunshine Spring Classic held at Rio Pinar Country Club in Orlando, Fla.

The Crusaders shot an opening round 337 over the 6,008-yard, par-72 layout, and are tied with IPFW four strokes in back of Indiana State for sixth place.  Lehigh leads the way at the midway point of the tournament after shooting an opening round 309.

Kelly Voigt (Palatine, Ill./Fremd H.S.) led the way for the Crusaders carding a six-over par 78 and is in 11^th place individually.  She is just five strokes out of the lead held by Detroit’s Collette Hansen, who shot 73 in round one.

Brianna Davy (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) added an 85 while Jessica O’Brien (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) added an 86.  Erika Pfaender (Pewaukee, Wis./Arrowhead H.S.) rounded out the Valpo scorers with an opening round 88.  Michelle Kleckner (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale H.S.) fired a 91 to open the tournament.

Valparaiso will return to the links on Friday morning for the final round of play beginning at 7 a.m. CST.