PHOENIX – With three players in the top-20, the Utah Valley University women's golf team currently sits in fifth place with a 10-over-par 298 after 18 holes of play at the GCU Spring Invitational on Saturday at Grand Canyon University Golf Course in Phoenix.
 
Freshman Lauren Taylor carded a 1-over-par 73 to sit in a tie for 13th place to lead the way for UVU. Sophomore Nathalie Irlbacher and senior Kate Williamson are both one shot back with identical 2-over-par 74s to enter Sunday's final day of action in a tie for 18th place. 
 
"Today was a nice start for our spring season," head UVU women's golf coach Dr. Sue Nyhus said. "Our players played well but also reported leaving some shots out there. We are looking forward to a strong final round tomorrow (Sunday)."
 
The Wolverines sit 11 shots back of the host and tournament leading GCU Lopes (1-under-par 287). Fellow WAC foe California Baptist is next with a 3-over 291, while Portland State is in third at 6-over (294), and Seattle U is in fourth at 8-over (296). In fifth place, UVU currently finds itself ahead of Northern Arizona (300), Eastern Washington (301), Hawaii (302), Southern Utah (302), UTEP (304), UC Riverside (311), Montana State (315), North Dakota State (317) and CSU Bakersfield (328). 
 
With heavy rain in the Phoenix area on the day, play was suspended for a couple of hours in the morning which resulted in the cancelation of Saturday's second round. The tournament will now be condensed to a 36-hole event, as the teams will play just another single round of 18 holes on Sunday morning. 
 
The freshman Taylor carded a 73 on the day to lead the way for UVU behind a pair of birdies, 13 pars and a trio of bogeys. The 1-over 73 marks a collegiate best for Taylor. 
 
Irlbacher and Williamson followed with 2-over 74s after the sophomore Irlbacher fired a trio of birdies, 10 pars and five bogeys, while Williamson put up two birdies, 12 pars and four bogeys. 
 
Junior Keila Baladad, who is playing the event as an individual, too had a strong day for the Wolverines by carding a 3-over-par 75 on her way to sitting in a tie for 24th. 
 
Freshman Victoria Estrada is next for UVU by sitting in a tie for 41st place after putting up a 5-over 77 on Saturday. Senior Kaylee Shimizu rounds out UVU's field of five in a tie for 49th place with a 6-over 78.
 
Junior Bailey Henley, who is also playing the event as an individual, too carded a 6-over 78 on the day to sit in a tie for 48th place. 
 
GCU's Alexis Linam is leading the individual leaderboard after carding a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday.
 
The GCU Invitational will conclude on Sunday with a final round of 18 holes. Action will get underway at 8 a.m. MST with a shotgun start and live scoring can be followed by visiting GolfStat.com.