Top-ranked Duke found itself in a familiar position Thursday when it jumped out to a five-stroke lead at the NCAA Women’s East Regional at the University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens, Ga.

The Blue Devils carded a 3-under-par 285 on their way to a five-stroke advantage over Florida (290). Rounding out the top five were South Carolina (291), Furman (292) and Louisville (293). Virginia, which challenged Duke for the ACC Championship, is tied for sixth. East Carolina is tied for 19th.

In the Central Regional, N.C. State posted a 12-over 300 and is tied for ninth at the University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, Texas.  And in the West Regional at Lincoln Hills Golf Club, North Carolina posted a 9-over 297 score and is 11th. The top eight teams from each regional advance to the NCAA Championship.

The three-under-par ledger for Duke is 29 strokes better than its first-round score in the Liz Murphy Collegiate on March 21 at this same venue. The Blue Devils went on to shoot rounds of 314, 300 and 304 to finish tied for fifth.

"We had a very good, patient approach to this course today," Duke coach Dan Brooks said. "I think that is what we learned last time. We came into this quite prepared. I am very glad we played this golf course earlier as it set us up mentally more than anything to be ready for it. I have a lot of respect for this golf course. It is a good track."

The Blue Devils got off to a very hot start and were 8 under as a team through seven holes. By day’s end Amanda Blumenherst was the low Blue Devil at 4-under 68, good for a second-place tie. Kimberly Donovan was at 2-under 70.

"It is great that the team is doing well and we had a good start because this is a pretty important tournament and a great momentum builder for nationals," said Blumenherst, who is a shot back of Louisville's Sara-Maude Juneau.

East Carolina struggled throughout and posted a 26-over 314 score and is tied for 19th in the East Regional. Sophomore Abby Bools and senior Emelie Lind each posted opening-round scores of 76 and are tied for 38th.
N.C. State junior Lauren Doughtie is in fourth place after a 3-under 69 to lead the Wolfpack, who started out on fire on the front nine during its afternoon round. A combined eight birdies and one eagle on the front saw the Pack move all the way to 5 under and into a tie with No. 3 UCLA for the lead before slipping back.

Doughtie’s afternoon featured an eagle at the par-5 fifth hole and three more birdies, which puts her alone in fourth place among a field of 108 competitors. The Suffolk, Va., native had the best round of the golfers that had afternoon tee times.

North Carolina sophomore Kate Thomas, from Murwillumbah, Australia, fired a 2-under-par 70 to lead the Tar Heels and is in seventh place individually.