LAS VEGAS- The trio of Sophie Hausmann, Michelle Kim and Valeria Patino each shot 1-under to lead Idaho women's golf Sunday, in the first round of the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown at Boulder Creek Golf Club. The Vandals are tied for eighth through 18 holes at 1-over (289) as a team. Boulder Creek is also home to the Big Sky Conference Championship, where the Vandals were victorious in 2016 and lost in a playoff in 2017.

"It was very evident that we were battling our own expectations early on," said head coach Lisa Johnson. "We have shot very low on this course in the past. We've won here as a team. Sometimes that makes us put a little too much pressure on ourselves."

Kim epitomized the turnaround. Starting on hole 12, she was 3-over through seven holes when she walked off the 18th green. The junior responded with four birdies and seven pars the rest of the way. All five Vandals started their rounds on the back nine. After settling in, 11 of the squad's 16 birdies came on the front nine. Hausmann carded four birdies on the front nine to go with two on the back.

"It was great to see Sophie get some putts going in and shoot six birdies," said Johnson. "She's still playing through pain, but she was tough today. She didn't let a couple of bad swings derail her round and really fought to be under par."

Kendall Gray rounded out Idaho's scoring quartet Sunday, shooting a 4-over 76. Laura Gerner was right behind Gray with a 5-over 77. Gerner was the only Vandal to avoid a double bogey in the first round.

The second round tees off Monday at 8 a.m. PT. The final round will be played Tuesday. Idaho is six strokes back of fourth place. Missouri leads the team standings at 13-under.

"The team is in good spirits," said Johnson. "We know the biggest challenge tomorrow is to give the golf course more respect. "