By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles girls' golf team opened up Big 16 Conference West Division play on Wednesday at Hampshire Country Club.
The Lady Vikings won the opening jamboree by shooting 205 to defeat runner-up St. Joseph by nine strokes.
The Lady Bears shot 214, while Mattawan finished third with a 251. Benton Harbor had just three players and did not field a full squad.
Sarah Crabtree led the Lady Vikings with a 50.
Lena Cramer and Ali Landgraf both finished at 51 with Meagan Horn shooting 53.
Jordan Brown and Sara Stenstrom finished with scores of 54 and 58 respectively.
Niles will be back in action on Friday as it heads to Battle Creek to play in the Lakeview Invitational at Turtle Creek.
Play is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.