INDIANAPOLIS -- After showing marked improvement during the third and final round of the Diane Thomason Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa on Sunday, UIC continued the upward trend with a strong effort in the first round of the Butler Fall Invitational in Indianapolis on Monday. The Flames posted their second consecutive team round of 323 in as many days playing at Highland Golf and Country Club.

"We did a better job all around today," said UIC head coach Mat Blair. "For not having a practice round and the chance to see the golf course ahead of time, I thought the girls did pretty well. We didn't make as many mistakes around the green as we've had in some of our earlier rounds and that was certainly encouraging. I thought our golf course management was strong and I'm looking forward to finishing strong tomorrow."

While tied for fifth overall, the Flames are currently second among Horizon League teams. IUPUI is second overall (309), while UIC sits six shots ahead of Green Bay entering the tournament's second day. Host Butler posted the top team score Monday by shooting 304 on its home course.

Senior Meghan Kramp led the charge for UIC by shooting a 6-over-par 76 on Monday. The Springfield, Ill., native is tied for fifth place at the Butler Fall Invitational, eight shots behind the individual leader (Mary Parsons of Indiana). Among the Horizon League golfers in the field, Kramp is currently second and one stroke in back of IUPUI's Marion Debove.

Another senior, Claudia Stampa, shot an 11-over-par 81 Monday. The San Sebastian, Spain, native finished 22^nd at the Diane Thomason Invitational Sunday, shooting 237 in the 54-hole tournament. She is tied for 26^th place after 18 holes in the Circle City.

The magic number for the Flames appeared to be 83 on Monday. Senior Kelly Sterling and freshmen Adrienne Montalone and Stephanie Mroz each posted marks of 13-over-par 83 and the trio is in a group that is tied for 41^st following Monday's action. Shivani Majmudar is one shot behind that trio after scoring 14-over-par 84.

Round One Scores
T5. UIC - 323
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T5. Meghan Kramp - 76
T26. Claudia Stampa - 81
T41. Kelly Sterling - 83
T41. Adrienne Montalone - 83
T41. Stephanie Mroz - 83 [competed as individual]
T48. Shivani Majmudar - 84

UIC will wrap up a stretch of four consecutive days of competition on Tuesday, Oct. 2. After playing 72 holes since Saturday, the Flames will go around Highland Golf and Country Club once more for the last 18 holes. The teams will hit the links for a shotgun start at 8 a.m. CT.