Under slightly smoky skies, the Lowry, Elko and Fernley girls golf teams picked up right where they left off last season at the South Lake Tahoe season opener on Wednesday.

Lowry took top honors with a team score of 357. Elko posted a collective 364 for second, and Fernley a 369 for third. No big surprise in the top three. The same golf programs led the league last year, but there were a few unexpected finishes in Wednesday’s first tournament of the season at the Tahoe Paradise Golf Course in Meyers.

South Tahoe, which did not have enough girls to qualify for team scoring last year, snuck into fourth place (411) in front of Spring Creek (420). Fallon (462) and Dayton (526) rounded out the scores.

“It was a good start, considering all the smoke lately. We haven’t been able to practice much,” South Tahoe golf coach Greg Kuntz said. “But they’re a great group of kids and already getting better.”

Senior Ayden Williamson (91) and junior Emily Aminian (115) both shot personal bests. Senior Katie Sears chipped in a 102 and freshman Courtney Cromwell added a 103.

Individually, Fernley’s Brittany Evans led the field with a 72. Elko’s Kaily Beatty wasn’t far behind with a 75, and Mikal Jerman of Spring Creek posted an 80.

Lowry didn’t post the best individual scores of the day, but captured first with its strong collective effort. Lowry’s top four all posted scores under 100. Alyssa Dendary shot an 84, Caitlin Orr an 89, Elise Rose a 91 and Ning Landt a 93.

Truckee and Sparks did not have enough golfers to qualify for a team score, but Truckee’s lone golfer did turn in a standout performance. Freshman Sienna Scibird shot an 84 in her first high school tournament, tying the third best individual score of the day.

“She could go to state as a freshman,” Kuntz said.