Mathews, Lemke pace Hokies in season opener

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Virginia Tech women’s golf team tied for sixth in its season opener at the Mary Fossum Invitational, which concluded Monday afternoon. Michigan State hosted the two-day, 54-hole event at Forest Akers West Golf Course (par 72, 6,370 yards).

In their Hokie debuts, Emily Mathews and Katherine Lemke led the way for Tech, both finishing inside the top 25. Mathews, a freshman from Mebane, N.C., tied for 15th at 3-over 219 (73-72-74). Lemke, a junior from Geneva, Ill., tied for 23rd at 6-over 222 (73-75-74).

The Hokies tied Kent State and Nebraska for sixth in the team standings at 24-over 888. Purdue fired a 4-under 284 in Monday’s final round to overtake Michigan State for the team title. The Boilermakers carded a 6-under 858, 10 shots clear of the Spartans.

Michigan State’s Katie Lu won medalist honors behind her 3-under 213 (70-69-74), one shot ahead of Purdue’s Ashley Kozlowski.

Tech is back in action this weekend at the Schooner Fall Classic hosted by Oklahoma at Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Okla. The three-day event will run Saturday-Monday.