Jennings is tied for 15th, while as a team, the Bulldogs turned in a strong finish on the back nine to card a 323 to sit eighth among the 10 competing teams.
"We got off to a rough start on the front nine as we battled a little bit of nerves, but we were able show improvement coming down the stretch, Drake head coach Leanne Smith commented. "Hadley (Jennings) played really well and I'm looking forward to her and the rest of the team coming back tomorrow with strong efforts."
Junior Chelsey Falk (Glenwood, Minn.) and freshman Danielle Brooks (Red Wing, Minn.) each shot an 81 to situate themselves in a tie for 32nd-place.
Firing scores of 84 and 88, to stand tied for 41st- and 46th-place, respectively, were seniors Paige Menze (Oxbow, N.D.) and Christy Wittmer (Hampton, Iowa).
The Bulldogs are scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. CT tee time for Monday's (April 23) second round.
DRAKE RESULTS: Hadley Jennings 77 (77/T-15th), Chelsey Falk 81 (81/T-32nd), Danielle Brooks 81 (81/T-32nd), Paige Menze 84 (84/T-41st) and Christy Wittmer 88 (88/T-46th).
STATE FARM MVC CHAMPIONSHIP
APRIL 22, 2012 • 18 HOLES
COUNTRY CLUB OF TERRE HAUTE (TERRE HAUTE, IND.)
1) Northern Iowa 299 (299)
2) Missouri State 300 (300)
3) Bradley 305 (305)
Illinois State 305 (305)
5) Wichita State 311 (311)
6) Indiana State 313 (313)
Southern Illinois 313 (313)
8) Drake 323 (323)
9) Evansville 327 (327)
10) Creighton 337 (337)
