RIO VERDE, Ariz. - Western Michigan's Kaylee Imel fired a 2-over par 73 and is just two shots off the pace set by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Ryann White after day one of the Rio Verde Invitational.

Akron (305), in only its fourth year as a program and with a senior class that started the program, has a one shot lead over Missouri State and Akron at 306.  The Zips leading individual Kristen Hill shares second place with Imel at 2-over par.

Pacing the field is the Islanders' Ryann White, who referencing the high winds they play through in Texas, leads after shooting even par on Friday afternoon.

Imel had three birdies during her opening round and noted the wind on Friday as well saying that even though its gusted at times, it remained consistent throughout her 18 holes.

Western Michigan finds itself alone in seventh place after scoring 313.  At one point, WMU was four strokes back of Akron and led the tournament through the first three holes.

The highlight of the day came off the putter of senior Leah Grawburg who made a downhill putt of over 30 feet for an eagle, the only one of the round, on the par-5, 470-yard, ninth hole.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi stands in fourth at 309 and Penn State (310) rounds out the top five in the team standings.  Eastern Michigan's Shannon Warner and Toledo's Lauren Stephens round out the top five in the individual standings at 3-over par (74).

Saturday's second round begins with a shotgun at 8 a.m. MST.