The Valparaiso University women's golf team returned to the course on Monday for the first two rounds of The Julie Invitational, hosted by Northern Kentucky at the par-71, 5861-yard Elks Run Golf Course in Batavia, Ohio. Senior Taylor Skibinski (Michigan City, Ind. / Michigan City) holds the team lead through 36 holes.  
 
How It Happened

• Skibinski finished the day tied for 44^th in a 70-player field at 165. She made a five-stroke improvement from Round 1 to Round 2, completing the opening day of competition with an 80.
• Freshman Katie Estridge (Biloxi, Miss. / Biloxi) is second on the team through 36 holes at 167. She put together a balanced effort of 84-83 over the two rounds.
• Senior Katelyn McCoy (Chesterton, Ind. / Chesterton) had the best single-round score of the day by any Beacon, making an 11-stroke improvement to card a 79 in Round 2, tying a career low. She had birdies on Holes 1 and 5 in Round 2.
• Valpo finished the day 12^th on the team leaderboard, but did boast a considerable 17-stroke improvement from Round 1 to Round 2, finishing the day at 679 (348-331). Oakland is the team leader at 559 and has the individual leaders with Olivia Hemmila and Lily Bargamian tied at 144.

Thoughts from Head Coach Jill McCoy
"It was a tough day. I'm very proud of everyone. We all improved in the second round. Katelyn and Taylor were great leaders out there today. They never gave up and kept grinding to the very end!"
 
Up Next
The Beacons will play the third and final round of the event on Tuesday. A link to live scoring via Clippd is available on ValpoAthletics.com.