Feb. 24, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
After nearly four months of rest the Illinois State women's golf team will begin its spring campaign at the Fighting Camel Spring Classic, hosted by Campbell, in Buies Creek, N.C. at Keith Hills Country Club Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 26-27.
Assistant coach Pina Gentile feels the team's preparation in the off-season will pay off.
"We have spent time working on our mental game and getting better and controlling things that are within our control," said Gentile. "We are looking for them to be able to control their emotions, and for them to believe that even though we have not been outside since October, we are still ready. The things that we have done indoors have prepared us to be ready to play outside."
Competing in the Redbird lineup will be senior veteran Hilary Anderson, sophomores Marci Hill and Tiffany Hockensmith, and freshmen Stacey Miller and Britt Knutson.
Gentile has high aspirations for Anderson as she heads into her final season as a Redbird.
"Hilary plays a key role from the standpoint that she is a senior and has been on the team the longest of anybody," said Gentile. "This being Hilary's last season, I know that she has set some goals for herself in terms of what she would like to accomplish to end her career on a high note."
In addition to individual player goals the team has goals this season, as well. The Redbirds will look to continue the success of past seasons.
"The idea for the team is to continue to improve upon our scoring average and to be competitive in all the tournaments that we compete in," said Gentile. "As we prepare indoors and continue to prepare for the rest of the season, our goal is to get to conference and be ready to go out there and play our best golf."
The 15-team field will play on the par 72, 6012 yard Keith Hills Country Club No. 1 course. Illinois State will be competing against Missouri Valley Conference rival Wichita State. Other competition includes Bowling Green, Campbell, Colorado State, Gardner-Webb, Georgetown, High Point, Longwood, Mercer, Old Dominion, Radford, Richmond, Wyoming and Xavier.
The first round of the Fighting Camel Spring Classic will begin Monday morning with a shotgun start at 9 a.m., where the teams will compete in the first 18 holes.
