DEBARY, Fla. — Stetson positioned itself for another title run Monday at the Babs Steffens Invitational, taking the 36-hole lead at DeBary Country Club (par 71) as the Hatters look to capture the tournament championship for the third consecutive year.

Battling cold conditions throughout the day, Stetson opened with a 296 before responding with one of the strongest rounds of the afternoon — a 287 — to sit at +15 overall. The Hatters hold a four-stroke advantage over Appalachian State in the 16-team field heading into Tuesday's final round.

The steady play has been backed by strong numbers across the board. Stetson leads the tournament with 22 birdies and ranks tied for third in the field with 107 pars through two rounds.

Individually, Isaki Sakashita has led the charge and sits in second place at -1 after rounds of 70 and 71. She trails Appalachian State's Zoe Duval by three strokes entering the final 18 holes. Sakashita has been especially sharp statistically, one of only two golfers in the field averaging under par on the par 3s while also posting the best scoring average on par 4s. She also leads the Hatters with seven birdies through 36 holes.

Close behind her, Ailsa Brannock sits in third place at +2 following rounds of 71 and 73. Brannock has been equally efficient, ranking third in the field on par 4 scoring and second on par 5s while recording six birdies.

Julieta Oviedo delivered one of the day's biggest turnarounds, bouncing back from a 78 in the opening round with a composed even-par 71 in round two. She enters Tuesday tied for fifth at +6.

Filippa Jansson also showed resilience, recovering from a first-round 79 with a 72 in the afternoon to climb into a tie for 13th at +9. Jansson has provided consistency throughout the lineup, leading the team with 23 pars.

Rounding out the Hatters' starting five, Anna Huettl is tied for 34th at +16 (78-80).

Competing as individuals, Elizabeth Eberle leads the Stetson individual group and is tied for 46th at +19 after rounds of 81 and 80. Bridget Butler and freshman Maggie Potash are tied for 63rd at +24. Butler posted scores of 80 and 86, while Potash carded rounds of 81 and 85. Victoria Leach sits tied for 71st at +27 (88-81), and Grace Smith is 89th at +44 (95-91).

With two players inside the top three and momentum from a strong second round, the Hatters will look to close out the Babs Steffens Invitational on Tuesday morning and secure a third straight title on their home course.

The final round will begin at 9 a.m. at DeBary Country Club.

About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.