After freshman Samantha Richdales 78 led a tightly-packed Illinois State quintet to a first-round score of 318, ISU was in seventh place--right in the middle--in the 13-team, 28th Annual Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational. But Redbird coach
Ray Kralis is enthused because the Birds are just nine strokes back of tournament leader Penn State.
We feel like its up for grabs, anything can happen, said Kralis. I wouldnt say we played our best round and we really didnt get anybody going with a great score, but nine strokes in one round isnt that much and the competition here is great.
Freshman Ashlie Rose was right behind Richdale with a 79 and sophomore Ashlee Johnson carded an 80. Junior Albiona Zhubi had an 81 and sophomore Katie Laehn wrapped up the Redbird individual scores with 84.
Sophomore Kaila Fuller, competing as an individual, shot 77 and is tied for 12th place, just four shots off the medalist pace set by Notre Dames Katie Brophy and Memphis Marianne Rudd, who both shot 73. It was Fullers low round at Illinois State. Penn State leads the tourney with a 309, two shots ahead of Memphis. Rollins, the tourney host, is No. 3 with 313. Notre Dame and Minnesota shot 314 and James Madison is one stroke ahead of ISU with a 318. The Birds are one ahead of No. 9 Southern Illinois and two up on No. 10 Florida State. Just 11 strokes separate the top 10 teams.
Thats just two strokes a player either way, said Kralis, who has one of the younger lineups in the field with two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior. Its a quality field, with teams like Penn State and Memphis usually in the NCAA. Notre Dame and Minnesota are always strong programs.
Weather problems overnight cut the schedule 36-holes on Monday to just 18. The teams will play one more round on Tuesday, but Kralis thought the playing conditions were fine at Tuscawilla Country Club.
It might have played a little long, but the weather was perfect, said Kralis. If its the same as this tomorrow, Ill be tickled. I think our team has a chance to compete and finish higher.
