ALBUQUERQUE (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV women's golf team saw three individual representatives compete in the first two rounds Sunday of New Mexico's 42nd Annual Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational with two of the three ending day one in the top 16 on the leaderboard.

Sophomore Elina Saksa carded a two-round score of even to sit tied for 12th, while junior Veronica Joels is just one shot behind Saksa in a tie for 16th at 1-over. Freshman Madeleine Laux is tied for 43rd at 7-over after the first 36 holes, but turned in a stellar second round of even 72 to end the day on a high note.

Saksa had a strong opening round of 4-under 68, dropping five birdies against one bogey and finished the day with eight birdies total. Joels was steady during both rounds, shooting an even 72 in the opening 18 holes and a 1-over 73 in round two, also collecting eight birdies on day one. Laux finished with four birdies over the two rounds.

In the team competition Denver and Pepperdine are tied for the lead at 1-over with Washington right on their heels at 2-over. Leading the individual competition is Kansas State's Niamh McSherry at 7-under, followed by Denver's Camille Enright and Grand Canyon's Carly Strole tied for second at 5-under.

UP NEXT: UNLV will wrap up the final round of the New Mexico's tournament Monday morning with a 7:30 a.m. MT tee time. The Mountain West Conference Championships are set for April 20-21 in Rancho Mirage, CA.

NOTES:
• As a team, the Rebels finished in the top five in two of six and in the top 10 in four of six tournaments this spring
• UNLV has five returners from last year along with two freshmen newcomers - Madeleine Laux and Gracie Olkowski
• Head coach Amy Bush-Herzer is in her 10th year at the helm of the program. She has led her team to a conference championship four times.