Jill Rachford and Katie Laehn of the Illinois State womens golf team battled the howling winds to tie for 12th place after the second day at the Missouri Valley Conference. Redbirds have moved up a spot to tie with Wichita State for third place.
Coach
Ray Kralis indicated that the team put up some good numbers.
Jill played a solid game today, she shot par on the back nine for the second day in a row, said Kralis. Jill and Katie are two strokes off from placing in the top 10.
As a team the Redbirds are tied for third with a score of 646. Today, Rachford shot an 81 (159), Laehn shot a low of 78 (159). Ashlee Johnson shot an 83 for a two round score of 163 to tie for 16th. Albiona Zhubi shot an 80 for a two round score of 165 to claim the 21st spot. Kaila Fuller placed 30th, followed by Sara Prack tied for 34th.
Bradley had another great day on the course, holding the number one spot with a team score of 608. Northern Iowa in second place, is putting some pressure on Bradley with a score of 614. Southern Illinois who the Prechampionship Poll picked to win is in fifth place with a score of 649, followed by Southwest Missouri State in sixth with a score of 672. Evansville is in 7th with a score of 680 and Creighton is in eighth place with a score of 689.
Coach Kralis feels that the Redbirds should play hard and give it their all tomorrow.
I think if we place in third after tomorrow the team should feel good about themselves because this has been a tough competition. We are amongst the pack and looking for some individual wins, said Kralis.
The Redbirds have gained the needed momentum to lead them into the final day of the tournament. Redbirds will tee off Tuesday, April 23, 2002 at 9:08 a.m. at the University Golf Course in Normal, Illinois.
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