FISHERS, Ind. - Senior Kristi Tschudin led the way for Western and was one of three Leathernecks to improve her score in the second round of the 2013 MAC Preview Tuesday (Oct. 8). Western finished the two-day, two-round event with a 652 (334-318) and finished in ninth-place out of 16 teams.

Tschudin fired a 79 in the second round after her opening round 80. The senior finished tied for 19th-place with a 159.

"We really improved in the second day of the tournament," said head coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen. "I think having our practice round rained out affected our game plan off the tee on Monday. Today (Tuesday) we knew where we wanted to hit it off the tee and it reflected in our scores. Jessica (Knepp) had a really good turnaround from round one to round two, and Kristi and Ashley both posted solid scores. Anna and Julie were consistent for us as well."

Two other Leathernecks finished in the 'Top 50' in junior Ashley Jeffers and freshman Anna Cullinan. Jeffers finished tied for 43rd with a 165 (86-79) and Cullinan carded a 166 (83-83) and finished in a tied for 47th.

Julie Whalen finished tied for 59th-place after posting back-to-back 85s in the tournament, finishing with a 170.

Jessica Knepp rounded out the Leathernecks' 'Top 5' with a score of 172. Knepp struggled in the opening round, carding a 95, but fired a WIU-low 77 in round two.

Golfing individually was Abby Ball who finished tied for 79th with a 177 (85-92).

"I'm happy we were able to come back and jumped from 13th to ninth-place. Competition was tough and conditions were not the best, but we hung in there. We were one of only a few teams that had never golfed the course as well," concluded Lukkarinen.

The Leathernecks are back in action on October 20 with the Pat Bradley Invitational hosted by Florida International.

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