GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The No. 15 University of North Georgia (UNG) women's golf team sits in a tie for third place out of 18 teams after day one at the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Golf South Regional at Chattahoochee Golf Club (CGC) in Gainesville, Ga.

At 7-over par as a team, the Nighthawks trail first place and No. 3 Flagler by just five shots after 18 holes Monday. No. 8 Nova Southeastern is in second place at 4-over while UNG is tied with No. 13 Lee for third place.

This year's South Regional field is loaded with 14 of the top 25 teams in the latest Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Coaches Poll. That includes the top three teams in the nation in the aforementioned Saints, No. 1 Anderson and No. 2 Wingate. The top-ranked Trojans are in 11th place at 16-over while the Bulldogs reside in sixth place at 9-over.

UNG exploded on the first day of its first ever regional appearance, particularly behind the performance of its second-leading scorer in sophomore Abby Franks.

From the opening few holes, it was obvious Franks was going to have a big day. 

The Roebuck, S.C. native birdied the par-4 second hole to quickly find herself under par. 

Feeling good after her first birdie of the day, Franks stepped to the tee at the par-3 third hole. The second-year Nighthawks gauged the hole at roughly 142 yards. She pulled an 8-iron out of her bag. With the morning dew just beginning to depart, the club head flashed a glint of light across the hole from the slightly elevated tee box. 

She struck the ball and a picturesque ball flight ensued. The ball took one bounce just short of the pin and began tracking towards the hole. Then, bam. The on-looking patrons let out a roar as Franks sunk the first hole-in-one of her career. 

After three holes she was 3-under par. It was the only ace on the day and one of just two eagles among the entire tournament field.

Franks added two more birdies on the day to tie the third-best 18-hole score in program history as she carded a 4-under 68 in the opening round. She finished the day tied for first place among the 96-player leaderboard. She was one of only six players to finish below par at the par-72, 6,168-yard CGC Monday. 

Freshman Ellie Jane Riner used three birdies to post a 2-over 74 and land in 25th place individually.

Senior Ellie Rippee birdied the par-4 15th on her way into the clubhouse to aid a 4-over performance. Her opening-round 76 put her in 40th place. 

Senior Jadin Ware finished the scoring for the Nighthawks in their first regional appearance with a 5-over 76 as she ended the day on a high note with a birdie at the par-4 18th. 

UNG tees off in round two of the event Tuesday, May 6 at 12:10 p.m. as Rippee goes off first. Ware is scheduled to leave the first tee as the final Nighthawk on the course at 12:50 p.m.