The Hope College women's golf team sits in fifth place after the opening round of the Carthage College Firebird Fall Invite on Friday, carding a team score of 337 at the Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein, Illinois.

The Flying Dutch are within striking distance of the top three, with Wisconsin-Whitewater holding third place at 334. Aurora University leads the 16-team field at 320, followed by Aurora's B group at 331.

Senior Kylie Gernaat (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Christian HS) topped Hope with an 83 and is tied for 15th individually. 

Senior Allyson Zuidema (Northville, Michigan / Northville) followed with an 84 to tie for 17th while competing as an individual.

Sophomore Kennedy Gernaat (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Christian) and senior Rachael Jones (Grove City, Ohio / Grove City) each shot 86 to tie for 27th, while senior Jaiden Winters (New Carlisle, Indiana / New Prairie) carded an 87 to tie for 33rd. 

Sophomore Gabby Hanover (Mason, Michigan / Mason) rounded out Hope's team scoring with a 92.

The Flying Dutch will return to the course Saturday for the second and final round of the Firebird Fall Invite at Ives Grove Golf Links in Yorkville, Wisconsin. Tee times are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.