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By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

Kelli Pry couldn't wait for the Big East Championship to get started and the senior used her positive energy to post a top-notch opening round.

Pry birdied two of the final three holes in Sunday's first round to get into a tie for first individually and get the Bulls within two strokes of leader Notre Dame at the Reunion Resort and Club in Orlando.

Pry joined Notre Dame's Ashley Armstrong at the top of the leader board after firing a 1-over 73 that was four strokes better than her season average coming into the tournament. She had three birdies overall and made par on 11 holes after showing head coach Marci Kornegay she was mentally ready in the days that led up to the opening round.

"She has had the best attitude this week," Kornegay said. "She's been so excited coming in. She's just so eager to play well and she's in such a good place right now."

Plenty of other Bulls are in a good position as well with Shena Yang in a tie for third with teammate Amy West at 3 over. The two others in the USF's lineup are also in the top 20 with Anna Hancock in a tie for 15^th at 5 over and Christina Miller in a tie for 18^th at 6 over.

The chase for the Big East title could very well be a two-team race all the way up to the final round on Tuesday. The Bulls are well within reach of Notre Dame's 8 over score while third-place Rutgers begins Monday's second round 15 shots behind the Irish.

"It's actually a good position for this team to be in," Kornegay said. "It puts me really at ease. I think they're ready to go out and play."

Big East Championship live scoring can be accessed online at Golfstat.com and you can get Twitter updates throughout the second round @tomzeboldusf.

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