Cullowhee, N.C. - Senior Brandy Andersen and sophomore-transfer Malin Fryk each carded 72 during their opening round on Monday to help Western Carolina lead the Draper Valley Women's Intercollegiate by nine strokes.

The Catamounts fired a team 293 as all five scored players -- and one playing as an individual -- shot below 77. Belmont University stands in second place with a 302, while Tennessee Tech is one stroke back in third with 303.

Western Carolina sophomore Kandy Carland shot a career-low round of 73 on the first 18 holes to stand one-stroke back from the leaders. She chipped two strokes off her previous career best, a 75 at last year's Wachovia-Great Smokies Intercollegiate in Waynesville, N.C.

Senior Ashley Hovda fired a 76 and junior Bianca Melone carded a 77 to round out Western's scoring five. Senior Erika Danford, playing as an individual, tied her classmate Hovda, shooting 76, which like Carland, was a career-low.

Play continues on Tuesday, Sept. 13 for the Catamounts with the final 18 holes of the season-opening tournament.