STANFORD, Calif. – Leah John and Victoria Gailey opened play with the first round of the Stanford Regional in a contest to earn a berth into the NCAA Championships today at Stanford Golf Course.
 
John made three birdies during 18 holes to finish two-over (72) and tied for 22nd after the opening round. Gailey made 14 pars and finished four-over (75) and tied for 38th through 18 holes on Day 1 of the Stanford Regional.
 
After becoming the first two Nevada women's golfers to clinch an NCAA berth as individuals in the same season, junior Leah John and senior Victoria Gailey teed off together in the group of three individuals on the back nine to open play today.
 
John got off to a bumpy start with bogeys on 10, 11, and 14, but birdies on 16, 1, and 3 climbed her back to within seven shots of the leader Latanna Stone (-4) from LSU. The 73 by John tied for the second-lowest round at an NCAA Regional in program history with Alana Condon (3rd; 73) in 2003. 


 
"I felt great and had a lot of fun out there, made some putts, and had an awesome time," said John. "I just tried hitting some different shapes out there, maybe picked some clubs and targets that I wouldn't have beforehand. It was quite successful to see myself do that. The conditions are lovely, and the holes are different, cool looks."
 
Gailey never quite found the low scores that she shot during the regular season but seven straight pars to close her round gave her a good feel for the course going into tomorrow's second round. The 75 by Gailey tied for the fourth-lowest round in program history with Katy Joslin (3rd; 75) in 2001 and Angie Yoon (1st; 75) in 2001. 
 
"I think my round was really solid," said Gailey. "I would've liked to have had a few more birdies out there to save a couple of those little mistakes but overall I feel like I played really well going into the next two days."
 
"It was amazing and it's always nice playing on these PAC 12 courses. I was excited to come out here," said Gailey. "They set up the course in a challenging way with some of the pins cut close. It was a good test today on amazing greens and perfect fairways. Overall, I think I was well prepared and stuck to my game plan today."
 
The second round of action gets underway tomorrow at 8:55 a.m. for the Wolf Pack, with John and Gailey set to hit the course on Hole 1.
 
Nevada Scores
t-22 Leah John +2 (73)
t-38 Victoria Gailey +4 (75)