PULLMAN, Wash. - Sophomore Kayla Mortellaro leads three Vandals in the top five as Idaho bolted to the top of the leaderboard in convincing fashion Tuesday with a second-round 292 during the WSU Inland Cup at Palouse Ridge Golf Course.
"We executed our shots today and we were mentally tougher," coach Lisa Johnson said. "Today we had a lot more energy, a lot more excitement and a lot more focus."
The result was rallying from two off the pace into a 12-stroke lead over Nevada and Sacramento State, which are tied for second. The Vandals, ranked 26th nationally by Golf Week, are at 601 with the Wolf Pack and the Hornets at 613 and Gonzaga in fourth at 621. Host Washington State is fifth at 624.
Mortellaro added a 71 to her opening 74 to take a one-stroke lead over Vandal senior Amanda Jacobs, who led after the first round and is close behind her teammate in second at 146. Sophomore Teo Poplawski was 11 strokes better Tuesday to rally to fifth with a 69 for a 36-hole total 149. Sophomore Frida Nilsson is tied for 37th at 161 and Annika Karlsson, another sophomore, is tied for 54th at 166.
Johnson said she expected a better effort from her team that it showed Monday. She didn't , however, predict Tuesday's massive swing.
"A 12-shot lead is more than we hoped for but we're happy to be in that situation," she said. "We figured we would play a lot better today and, hopefully, end the day with the lead."
Playing as individuals, Allyssa Nilsson is tied for 37th at 161 and sophomore Gracie Schory is tied for 61st at 168.
The tournament concludes Wednesday.
