After rain forced the of the opening round MSU NewWave Communications Classic, Valparaiso’s women’s golf team finally took to the links for the first time this spring on Tuesday, finishing fifth in the rain-shortened event at Miller Memorial Golf Course in Murray, Ky.

The Crusaders finished at 340, just four strokes behind fourth place Belmont (336).  Tournament host Murray State won the team title at 317 followed by Western Illinois (323) and Austin Peay (326).  Tennessee State was a distant sixth shooting 376.

Erika Pfaender (Pewaukee, Wis./Arrowhead H.S.) led the way for Valpo, carding a 10-over par 82 on the 6,017-yard, par 72 layout.  The freshman finished in a tie for 14th overall, six shots off of the pace.

Brianna Davy (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) finished one stroke behind Pfaender with an 83, sharing 18th place with teammate Kelly Voigt (Palatine, Ill./Fremd H.S.).

Jessica O’Brien (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) rounded out the scoring for the Brown and Gold, shooting 92 while Michelle Kleckner (New Brighton, Mich./Irondale H.S.) carded a 101 in her first round of the spring.

Valparaiso will now have a month off from competition before returning to action March 28 and 29 at the Butler Spring Invitational held in Avon, Ind.