MOBILE, Ala. – Olivia Le Roux and Eva Martinez Calavia each fired an even-par 72 on Saturday to lead the Lamar University women's golf team on the first day of the USA Intercollegiate.
 
Le Roux and Martinez are tied for eighth in the 74-player field, while the Cardinals, who are competing in their first event of the season, are sixth among 13 teams heading into Sunday's second round of the three-day, 54-hole event.
 
As a team, the Cardinals totaled an 8-over-par 296 on the par-72, 6,002-yard layout at the Magnolia Grove Crossings Golf Course. UAB and host South Alabama are tied for the team lead at even-par 288.
 
"Despite a rocky finish, we did well overall," LU coach Jessica Steward said. "I can't help but acknowledge that we gave up six strokes on the last three holes, but there is plenty to celebrate. We made 16 birdies as a team."
 
Le Roux, a second-team All-Southland Conference selection last season, had four birdies on the day, while Martinez Calavia, a sophomore transfer from Armstrong State, who came to LU after that school dropped its athletic program, had six birdies.
 
"I knew Eva was a great player, and I'm happy to see her make a strong debut as a Cardinal," Steward said of Martinez Calavia.
 
LU's Elodie Chapelet, last season's Southland Conference freshman of the year and women's golfer of the year, is tied for 19^th at 2-over-par 74. Felicia Sauceda is tied for 41^st at 78, while Ashlyn Hendricks is tied for 50^th after carding an 80 in her LU debut.
 
Maria Donado of UAB fired a 3-under-par 69 to hold the lead after the first round.
 
The Cardinals had the best score amongst the three Southland Conference schools in the field. McNeese is tied for seventh at 302, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is in 12^th place after a 322 on Saturday.
 
"The girls made some great decisions and were smart with their approach shots." Steward said. "If we go out with the same mind set on Sunday, we will do great."
 
The tournament continues with 18 holes on Sunday before wrapping up with another 18 holes on Monday.