CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Next up for the Austin Peay State University women's golf team is the Samford Intercollegiate, Monday and Tuesday, in Birmingham, Ala. The tournament will be played at the 6,000-yard, par-72, Limestone Spring Golf Course.

"The team has been working hard and is very close to playing really well,” said head coach Sara Robson. “It is early in the season and we need to continue to improve while working on our weaknesses.”

Coming off a 10th-place finish, at the EKU El Diablo Intercollegiate, the Lady Govs are looking to bounce back this week. Including the Lady Govs, the 15-team field consists of host Samford, Ohio Valley Conference rivals Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State, Murray State and Tennessee Tech along with Birmingham Southern, Belmont, Bradley, Evansville, Kennesaw State, Troy, Western Kentucky, Alabama-Birmingham and South Alabama.

Lady Govs juniors Staci Lynch and Angelina Manzitto lead the team into the tournament. Lynch and Manzitto are coming off top-20 finishes last week, recording 17th and 19th place finishes, respectively.

“Manzitto had a great round last week and has gained some confidence,” said Robson. “I look for her strong play and work hard to continue this week.”

Rounding out the field for the Lady Govs are sophomores Catie Tucker, Ashley Wathen and Chelsea Harris. Freshman Ashley Averitt also will compete as an individual.

“If we continue to focus and be patient, we will play well,” said Robson. “The team just needs to believe in themselves and work hard, which will be key in finishing strong this week.”

-AP-