The Ball State University women's golf team opened its spring season with a ninth place finish out of 18 teams at the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational.
The Cardinals finished with a 54-over-par 918 in the invitational, which was played March 7 through March 9 at Rio Verde, Ariz.
The Cardinals' top performers were Paige Esford and Kristy O'Connor, who tied for 17th place at 11-over-par. Sarah Windlan tied for 26th at 14-over-par, and Brittany Kelly tied for 62nd at 22-over-par to round out Ball State's scoring.
Amy Roberts was 23-over-par for a tie for the 68th spot, and Rachael Pruett tied for 81st with a 29-over-par for Ball State, as the two did not score for the team.
The University of Notre Dame won the team title at the invitational with an 11-over-par team score. Ball State's Mid-American Conference foes, Eastern Michigan University and Western Michigan University finished fifth and tied for sixth respectively. The Eagles had a 45-over-par and the Broncos were 52-over-par.
The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University and Ohio University finished 12th, 14th and 18th in the field.