March 11, 2007
Final Stats
RIO VERDE, Ariz. -
Senior Hilary Anderson fired a three-round total of 229 (78-74-77) to finish in a tie for 28th place to lead the Illinois State women's golf team which finished 13th at the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational in Rio Verde, Ariz.
As a team, the `Birds played their best round of the tournament on Sunday, carding a tournament-low round of 303. Illinois State finished with a three-round score of 924 (310-311-303), four strokes back from being in the top 10 of the 18-team field.
"Our women came out today and did a great job of accomplishing our goal of finishing with our best round of golf," associate head coach Pina Gentile said. "We had ideal weather conditions today and I'm very proud of how each girl performed.
"Hilary (Anderson) had a terrific tournament. We know how well she can shoot and as the season goes on she is only going to get better."
Anderson's total of 229 put her six shots off from being in the top five and 17 strokes behind medalist Allison Martin of Baylor, who fired a 212 (69-72-71).
Finishing three strokes behind Anderson and in a tie for 43rd was sophomore Tiffany Hockensmith. The Bloomington, Ind., native shot her tournament-low of 73 in the final round, to give her a score of 232 (82-77-73). Freshman Laura Harris placed in a tie for 55th with a score of 235 (74-82-79). Freshman Stacey Miller rose 24 spots on the final day to finish in a tie for 65th place by shooting a 74 to bring her total to 237 (78-85-74). Fellow freshman Britt Knutson tallied a 239 (80-78-81) to tie for 71rst. Rounding out the scores for the `Birds was freshman Christine Larson, who carded a 252 (84-82-86) to tie for 99th.
Baylor captured the team crown by shooting 886 (289-300-297). Arkansas-Little Rock was three strokes back with an 889 (298-296-295), while Toledo followed with an 892 (298-289-305). Missouri Valley Conference foe Missouri State finished in fourth place by carding a 900 (305-299-296), while Texas Tech rounded out the top five by totaling a score of 906 (300-304-302).
"Stacey (Miller) and Tiffany (Hockensmith) each finished on a very high note today," Gentile said. "They both hung tough and shot their best rounds of the tournament. They, as well as the rest of the team, are leaving here with a lot of momentum heading towards the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in April."
The Redbirds return to the links on Mon., March 26, when they travel to compete in the Saluki Invitational in Carbondale, Ill.
