Smithville, Mo. - Effie Perakis paced the Maryville women's golf team with a tie for sixth place as the Saints are fourth in the team standings after the first round of the Kansas City Cup. The freshman golfer posted a score of 77 and trails the overall leaders by only four shots. As the team, Maryville opened with a total of 321 and is just two strokes out of third place at Paradise Point Golf Course.
 
Perakis had a steady round that featured 13 pars to top the efforts for the Saints. Ivy Lai was one shot back at 78 and posted two birdies during her round. Maggie King and Jenna Clark both finished with an opening score of 83. Chloe Davidson shot an 85, and Sydney McCord was two shots back at 87.
 
McKendree leads the team standings at 302, with Kendall Farm of Lewis and Waritsara Rungrojanaluk from McKendree are atop the individual leaderboard. The teams start the final round Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Smithville, Mo.