Rebels within striking distance for match play at NCAA Championships

FAYETTEVILLE, AK (WLBT) - The Ole Miss women’s golf team shot a second round 5-over 297 at the NCAA Women’s Championships in Fayetteville on Sunday.

The Rebels sit just four shots back of eighth place, the cut to make it match play after Monday's final round of stroke play.

Ole Miss made a charge on the front nine Sunday, going 2-under as a team moving up six spots to tie for seventh at the turn. The finishing holes proved difficult in the afternoon when the team gave up a little ground, but the Rebels still found a way to finish in the top-12 teams to secure an afternoon tee time on Monday.

Every Rebel improved their scores from day one action on Friday.

"I thought the team played great today," head coach Kory Henkes said. "This course is pretty treacherous and we really played well on the front nine that got us geared for a pretty good back nine. We had a few hiccups on the back, but overall they really laid it all out there and played some great golf today."

Ole Miss was led by Kennedy Swann, who fired a second round 2-under 71. The junior overcame an opening hole bogey to go bogey-free 4-under for the next 14 holes. A bogey on No. 16, the third hardest hole on the day, was her only miscue on the back nine.

Swann's 71 is the lowest 18-hole score in program history at the NCAA Championships.

"I felt like today I played extremely solid," Swann said. "I missed a couple tee shots here but I missed my first green at No. 16. Out here hitting greens definitely helps with scoring. All-in-all, it was a really good day."

Swann, one of three Rebels who have NCAA Championship experience, has been at the top of the leaderboard the first two days. She'll go into the final round tomorrow in a tie for sixth, five shots back of the individual leader, Sierra Brooks of Florida.

"Kennedy is playing great, I think she only missed one green today," Henkes said. "She's got a nice high-ball flight that's allowed her to hit a lot of fairways and greens. Our goal with her all week is just for her to stay present and not get ahead of herself. We are really proud that she's sticking to our game plan."

Julia Johnson bounced back with a 1-over 74 after an opening round 83. The sophomore has 21 pars through the first 36 holes of play with four birdies, two coming on par 3s today.

"Julia is just such a leader out there," Henkes said. "I know she was disappointed about yesterday's round, but she's a fighter. She played phenomenal golf today and she's excited to get out there tomorrow. You can never count Julia out. She's always going to give 100 percent."

Ellen Hutchinson-Kay remains in the top-25 individually after consecutive 2-under 75s. The freshman has been consistent all weekend, leading the team in pars with 25.

Conner Beth Ball shot a second 4-over 77. The sophomore scored four birdies Sunday, and leads the team with eight total through the first two rounds.

Macy Somoskey shot a 6-over 79 for her second round. Somoskey made birdie on the par 4 No. 16, which saw only 21 players in the field of 132 make a three on Sunday.

The Rebels will be in the afternoon wave tomorrow, which will be live on Golf Channel starting at 3 p.m. CT.

Tee times for Ole Miss begin at 11:55 a.m. The Rebels will be paired with Arizona State and Wake Forest.

For the latest updates on Ole Miss Women's Golf at the NCAA Championships, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWGolf, on Instagram at OleMissWGolf.

THE REBELS

T-6. Swann: 76-71--147 (+1)

T-23. Hutchinson-Kay: 76-75--151 (+5)

T-66. Ball: 79-77--156 (+10)

T-79. Johnson: 83-74--157 (+11)

T-127. Somoskey: 89-79--168 (+22)

TEAM LEADERBOARD

1. No. 3 Duke: 305-281--586 (+2)

2. No. 1 USC: 306-289--595 (+11)

3. No. 2 Texas: 302-294--596 (+12)

T-4. No. 4 Arizona: 304-294--598 (+14)

T-4. No. 10 Arkansas: 302-296--598 (+14)