March 8, 2005

LAS VEGAS - Elena Kurowawa's strong opening to the spring season earned the UNLV junior the Mountain West Conference women's golfer of the month award the league announced Tuesday.

Kurokawa's award marks the second consecutive month that a Rebel golfer has won the award, as Hwanhee Lee closed the fall season by being named the MWC's golfer of the month. This is the first monthly honor for Kurokawa.

Kurokawa opened the spring season with two top-25 finishes, including an eighth-place finish at the Wildcat Invitational two weeks ago in a field that included seven of the nation's top-20 teams. In the second round of the Wildcat Invitational she carded a three-under 68 for a three-round total of 217 (+4) that earned the junior her fifth top-10 career finish. In her opening tournament this spring Kurokawa finished tied for 21st with a 54-hole total of 227 (75-74-78) at the prestigious Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge.

UNLV continues its spring season Tuesday at the Spartan Invitational in Salinas, Calif., a 54-hole tournament with 36-holes played today and the final 18 holes played Wednesday.