The Illinois State womens golf team has one final tournament before hosting the Missouri Valley Conference at the University Golf Course. This weekend the Redbirds are heading to Urbana to play in the Illini Tournament and are thirsty for a win.
The team is really excited to play in this tournament, said coach
Ray Kralis.
Veteran Illinois State women golfers Jill Rachford, Albiona Zhubi, Ashlee Johnson, Katie Laehn, and Sara Prack will hit the links early at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. The Redbirds are very familiar with this course having played in it last year and earlier this fall. In the fall Rachford shot an 83,76, and 79; Laehn shot an 85, 76, and 82.
The Redbirds will play against 15 other Midwest schools at the par 72, Stone Creek Golf Club. Last year, Notre Dame took the title (619), followed by host Illinois (622), Ohio in third (636), Western in fourth (647), and Bradley and Illinois State tied for fifth (650).
The teams that will be playing this year include host Illinois, Arkansas State, Southern Illinois, Bradley, Southwest Missouri State, Western Michigan, Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Missouri-Kansas City, Eastern Illinois, Bowling Green State, Truman State, Cincinnati, Northern Illinois, Indianapolis.
Coach Kralis feels pretty confident with the Redbirds ability against the competition.
If we play average golf we definitely have the opportunity to finish in the top five, playing good golf we should finish in the top three, said Kralis. With Zhubi feeling confident and playing consistent, Rachford putting up good numbers looking for a win, accompanied with Laehn, Johnson, and Prack the outcome looks good. We could have some top ten finishers which will elevate our team score to another level.
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