The Illinois State womens golf team will travel to Carbondale, Ill. March 28-29 for the Saluki Invitational at Hickory Ridge Golf Course hosted by Southern Illinois University. This will be the teams first action this spring against Valley foes.
The Redbirds are coming off a fourth place finish in the St. Croix Collegiate Classic, where sophomore Samantha Richdale took home medalist honors. The St. Croix Collegiate, along with the Lady Moc Invitational, were used as warm weather tune-ups, as the team prepared to return to the Midwest and get ready for Valley competition and the MVC championship.
Head coach
Ray Kralis feels that these tournaments gave the team some momentum.
Weve had various people step up and show that they are getting back into form, Kralis said. Everyone has had a chance to get out and play and I think heading into Southern (Illinois) we are ready to go and put up some good numbers. I feel like we can go in and build some momentum for Indiana, Illinois and in conference. That was our main focus and I see it playing out.
Hickory Ridge just happens to be the site for the Valley Championship in April and will provide the team with an early look at the course, as well as a chance to show why it is the top ranked team in the conference. Every Valley school will be participating in the invitational along with Michigan, Arkansas State, Murray State, Northern Illinois, and Western Illinois among others.
Kralis feels that this tournament can be a big statement to the rest of the schools.
We want to go in and flex our muscle, Kralis said. Our performance this weekend doesnt necessarily determine who will win conference, but I want to show our strength in our top six and show that we are deep all through the lineup. It is a big weekend for us as far as kicking off the next four tournaments. I want to start off on a big note.
The first round of the 36-hole event tees off Sunday, March 28 and concludes on Monday, March 29.
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