Women's Golf | 2/22/2016 5:53:00 PM

LAKE WALES, FL --- In the first tournament of the spring season for the Prairie Star's women's golf team, Kayla Yn led the way with a ninth place finish in a 61 golfer field. The freshman from Arcadia, California carded two rounds in the 70's to lead the way for the Prairie Stars. As a team, UIS improved by 20-strokes in their second round, shooting a 332 on day one before coming back with a 312 to finish at 644.

Yn opened up the tournament with a three-over par 75 before ending with a 79 on the second day. The two sub-80 rounds were good enough for her to place in ninth overall, giving her a third top-ten finish including the fall season. Maria Espinosa, another freshman for the Prairie Stars, turned in the second best overall score for UIS with a 158 total. Espinosa struggled a little on the opening day, shooting an 11-over 83 but cut eight strokes off on the second round, shooting a 75, her second best score of the year.

Taryn Pittman, playing as an individual, turned in a 165 total, shooting an 84 and following that with an 81. The sophomore from Aledo, Texas took 31^st in the tournament, her best finish in her last four starts. Charlotte Ng also ended with a 165 for the Prairie Stars, shooting an 86 on the opening day and coming back strong with a 79 in the final round. The 79 ties her career best, which she shot at the Maryville Fall Invitational.

Jocelyn Matsen and Becca Ramirez rounded out the top-six for UIS, shooting 168 and 175, respectively. Matsen opened with an 89 but followed up strong with a ten-stroke improvement, breaking 80 for the second time this season. Ramirez, who has three top-ten finishes on the year, finished in 45^th with an 88 and 87.

UIS will compete again on March 5^th and 6^th in Sedona, Arizona at the Red Rocks Invitational.