AVON, Ind. - The extra practice finally paid off for senior Matthew Friend.

Friend shot a 3-over 75 Monday to finish day one in a tie for first at the Butler Spring Invitational. The senior from Okemos, Michigan started off on fire shooting a 35 on the front nine before wrapping up the day with a 40 on the back.

The 75 is Friend's best score since he carded a 69 at the John Dallio Memorial Tournament during the fall 2007 season.

Playing in the state of Indiana has always been a strong place for Friend throughout his UD career. As a freshman he tallied his best score of the season at the IPFW Fall Classic finishing with a round of 72. Last year he had scores of 75-77-73 at the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational held in Muncie, Ind.

Although Friend's performance stood out, a couple of Flyers are nipping at his heels for the overall lead.

Senior Rob Chappell is just one stroke back carding a 76 after round one. Chappell bounced back from a 39 on the first nine holes to record a 37 on the back nine. He is tied for seventh overall.

Sophomore Jeff Hodapp shot an 80 and tied for 28th overall. He played a consistent first day shooting a 40 on both the front and back nine.

Sophomore Chris Woeste picked up the pace after a slow start to card an 81. He tallied a 42 on the front nine, but rebounded with a 39 on the back. Sophomore Zach Glassman rounded out the scoring with an 82.

In just their second event of the spring season, the Flyers are in fifth as a team out of the nine-team field with a score of 312. UD is just six strokes back of the team lead which is held by Wisconsin Green Bay.

Dayton will play in the third and final round on Tuesday, March 24 from the Prestwick Country Club.