SWX Right Now-Sports News for Washington and IdahoIdaho golfer leads UNLV tournament

Idaho golfer leads UNLV tournament

BOULDER, Nev. – University of Idaho sophomore Kayla Mortellaro held onto her lead after the second round of the UNLV Spring Rebel Invitational.

Mortellaro, like the rest of the field, battled wind and hail and saw an elevation in scores – although her one-over 73 gives her a two-day 138 and a one-stroke lead over UNLV Therese Koelbaek. Like Mortellaro, senior Amanda Jacobs also saw an eight-stroke difference in her score but her 77 to go with her opening 69 leaves her in a tie for 13th.

Coach Lisa Johnson said the Vandals biggest troubles were on a rugged stretch through the middle holes.

"As a team, we really struggled in the middle part of the round," Johnson said. "We gave away several shots either as a result of missing the fairway, hitting a bunker and not getting up and down, or putting poorly. That middle stretched really is what contributed to us shooting 300 today."

Idaho dropped into third at 585 but is only one stroke back of Baylor but is 18 off the pace of host UNLV, which has gone 281-286.

One of the brightest spots, Johnson says, is the Vandals' improvement over one year ago at the same tournament.

"We're 50 shots better than last year," Johnson said. "That shows how far we've come and how much better prepared we are this spring than last."

The tournament at Boulder Creek Golf Club concludes with the final 18 holes Wednesday.

Washington State moves into tie for 16th

The Washington State women's team moved into a tie with New Mexico State for 16th place at the UNLV Spring Invitational.  The Cougars posted a 305 (+17) in round two for a total of 616 (+40).  Sophomore Kristen Allard led the team for the second consecutive day with a 73 (+1).  She is tied for 17th place  and just three strokes away from the top ten.