SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah-- UC Irvine started 2024-25 with a bang as the Anteaters are tied for first place on the first day of the Wolverine Invitational behind freshmen Katherine Gerbing and Alona Avery's rounds of 69 in their collegiate debuts.

UCI is tied with fellow Big West member UC Riverside at the top of the leaderboard with a score of 283 Sunday at the Talons Cove Golf Course.

The Anteater duo are tied for the lead individually with their opening round of three-under par 69. Gerbing recorded four birdies, logging one on the eighth hole then fired three in a row on 11-13. Avery had two birdies on the front nine then back-to-back on 15 and 16.

Junior Kiana Briggs shot an even par 72 and is in ninth place, while freshman Katelyn Kong is tied for 14^th with a one-over par 73. Both players also had four birdies on the day. Sophomore Alyson Sor is tied for 29^th place with a 75.

UCI continues action with 18 holes Monday and 18 holes Tuesday.