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GREENEVILLE, TN -- Sophomore Jamie Palermo fired an even-par 73 in the opening round of the 18th Annual NAIA Women's Golf Championship to lead the William Woods University squad to a fourth-place spot after the first day of competition. The Owls posted a team total of 303 (+11) on the day and currently sit just five shots behind leaders Shorter University.

On the individual leaderboard, Palermo is in a seven-way tie for fifth, sitting two strokes off the pace of co-leaders Jessica Macphee of Thomas University and Shorter's Pauline Schoop. Jada Bennington carded a 74 (+1) on the day, recovering from four bogeys in her first eight holes with back-to-back birdies on the par-4 18th and the par-5 1st, adding birdies on 5 and 7 as well.

Ashlee Daly slipped a bit off the pace in the back nine, but closed with a birdie on the par-5 9th to record a 76 (+3), good for 29th(T) after the first day. Lindsey Johnson rounded out the team scoring for the Owls, closing with an 80 (+7) on the morning for a 65th(T)-place finish.

Naomi Starr finished the day with an 85 (+12) for WWU, good for 109th.

The Owls will open second-round action from the first tee on Wednesday, teeing off at 12 p.m. CT.