GOODYEAR, Ariz. – In a loaded 23-team field that includes 11 teams in the national top 50, MSU Denver is tied for 13^th place after the first day of the RJGA Palm Valley Classic.
 
Vaijayanti Bharkhada shot a 3-over-par 75 at the 5,950-yard Palm Valley Golf Club to lead the Roadrunners and stands tied for 19^th in the 118-player individual field.
 
"V played solid golf today and has put herself in a really good position to have a good finish tomorrow," MSU Denver coach Stef Ferguson said.
 
As a team, the Roadrunners compiled a four-player score of 25-over 313. They are two strokes behind 48^th-ranked CSU Pueblo, and three behind both 21^st-ranked Texas-Tyler and 42^nd-ranked Biola (Calif.).
 
"As a team we had a great first nine and then really struggled to finish," Ferguson said. "We were +18 on the back. We need to finish stronger if we are going to compete with these ranked teams.
 
"Overall we had some really good things happening. I think tomorrow could be really solid."
 
Mackenzie Carpenter shot 78 and is tied for 51^st, while Winnie Shaw and Isabel Botero were each 8-over and are tied for 70th.
 
The tournament concludes Saturday.