Saint Mary's started off the MIAA qualifiers strong after shooting a 337 and placing themselves in second place behind Olivet with only two qualifier events remaining.
"I thought we played well today," Belles coach Mark Hamilton said. "Unfortunately, Olivet played as well as they possibly could have."
Heading into the second of three MIAA qualifiers, the Belles are 18 strokes behind Olivet who shot a 319 on the first day.
Freshman Rosie O'Connor led the Belles with a round of 80 and classmate Emily Gore was not far behind notching a solid 84.
The next two qualifying rounds will be held April 25-26. Before then, the Belles will look to improve at the Vasser Invitational in New York this weekend and at the Illinois Wesleyan Spring Fling the following weekend.
Looking ahead to the last two days of qualifying in a few a weeks, Hamilton believes that the first place spot is still within the Belles' reach.
"Hopefully we can even it up in the next round and head into the final day with a good chance to win," Hamilton said.
The team who sits in first place at the end of the three qualifying days will clinch a spot in the Div. III National championship tournament in May.
