BOULDER CITY, Nev. – Behind a 1-under-par 71 from freshman Anna Lesa, the Utah Valley University women's golf team currently finds itself tied for third after one round of play at the 2021 WAC Women's Golf Championship on Monday at Boulder Creek Golf Club at 9-over-par (297). 
 
Lesa was one of three Wolverines to post a top-15 score on Monday, as she is currently tied for third on the individual leaderboard at 1-under. The Wolverine freshman fired four birdies and 11 pars on the day en route to matching the best round of her collegiate career with the opening-round 71. Lesa will enter Tuesday's second round just two strokes back of the leader.
 
Second-year freshman Victoria Estrada too sits in the top 10, as she is tied for 10th after carding a 2-over-par 74 on Monday. Estrada was very consistent on the day with 15 pars and a birdie. Junior Bailey Henley is right behind Estrada, as she sits in a tie for 13th place after posting a 3-over-par 75. Henley had two birdies and 12 pars on the day.
 
Freshman Macy Robertson too had a nice opening-round by tallying a 5-over-par 77 to sit in a tie for 23rd place. Fellow freshman Caylyn Ponich rounds out UVU's competitors at the 2021 WAC Championship in a tie for 34th place at 8-over (80). 
 
As a team, UVU carded the 9-over 297 to sit in a tie for third with Seattle U. New Mexico State is leading the conference championship at 1-under-par (287), while Grand Canyon is three shots back to currently sit in second (290). The Wolverines will enter Tuesday's second round six strokes ahead of UT Rio Grande Valley, who is currently in fifth at 15-over (303). Individuals from fellow WAC schools California Baptist, Chicago State, Dixie State and Tarleton State are also taking part in the event.  

"We had a little bit of a slow start today," head UVU coach Dr. Sue Nyhus said. "The Wolverines really started playing well on about the sixth hole. Anna had a better start and kept it going all day. She regained her form from earlier in the year.
 
"We need a better start and a confident finish to move up tomorrow. We can do it!"
 
GCU's Payton Fehringer is leading the individual leaderboard after recording a 3-under-par 69, while NM State's Amelia McKee is one shot back after tallying a 2-under 70 on the day. Lesa is one of four players that carded a 71 on the day. 
 
Round two of the three-day event will get underway on Tuesday at 9 a.m. MT/8 a.m. PT. UVU will begin teeing off in the second group at 9:45 a.m. MT/8:45 a.m. PT. Live scoring can be followed by visiting GolfStat.com.