Jill Rachford, Ashlee Johnson, and Katie Laehn of the Illinois State womens golf team scored in the top 20 to place Redbirds in fourth after the first day of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship at the University Golf Course.
Despite howling winds and cold temperatures, Rachford shot a team low of 78 to place 7th. She played a great back nine shooting a par 36. Johnson shot an 80 to place 10th, while Laehn shot an 81 to place 12th. Albiona Zhubi shot an 85 to place 28th.
Coach
Ray Kralis would like to see a team effort from all six players tomorrow.
We need to see good golf from all six players in order to come out on top. Tomorrow has to be the day we make our move, and the team usually responds well under pressure, said Kralis. We do have the home course advantage that will save us a few shots amongst the competition.
The competition is intense with every team fighting for the automatic NCAA Championship bid.
Bradley is sitting in first place with a score of 300. Jil Swenson of the Braves shot a low 70, two strokes under par. Northern Iowa is in second place with a score of 312 with Karla Schuldt carding a 73. Wichita State placed third with a score of 315 and a par score of 72 by Amy Lee. Illinois State is in fourth with a score of 324. Southern Illinois who was picked by the Pre-Championship Poll to win is in fifth with a score of 325. 2001 MVC Champion Southwest Missouri State is in sixth with a score of 336.
Bradley surprised us by playing well under the conditions and changed the complexion of the tournament. But, tomorrow the weather will be better and any team could step up to the challenge, said Kralis.
The Redbirds need to go into tomorrow with the right attitude and a boost in confidence, said Kralis.
The Redbirds will return to action on Monday, April 22, at 10:08 a.m. at the University Golf Course in Normal, Illinois.
