April 13, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's golf team will be traveling to Peoria, Ill., to compete at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship, April 15-17, at WeaverRidge Golf Club.
Head coach Ray Kralis looks forward to the competition and feels the team is well prepared.
"There is an excitement level that finally has arrived," said Kralis. "Over the year, we have certainly proven to ourselves that we are a contender in this conference. Even though we have a lot of newcomers to our team, I think their experiences and successes throughout the year have positioned them well."
According to a poll of Valley head coaches, Southern Illinois was picked to win, Missouri State was pegged for second-place, and Illinois State was picked third.
Over the past four years, the team has had two first-place finishes and two-second place finishes. Both runner-up titles were second to Bradley's scores. This year, the Redbirds will look to add another title and Kralis is confident in their abilities.
"Even with a lot of new faces to the team, I think our success over the past four years says a lot," said Kralis. "We have come away with hardware and we know how competitive this championship is."
Competing for the `Birds will be senior Hilary Anderson, sophomores Marci Hill and Tiffany Hockensmith, and freshmen Laura Harris, Britt Knutson and Stacey Miller.
Assistant coach Pina Gentile who will be traveling with the squad to the championship is confident in the lineup.
"I feel we have a group that can go out there and win this championship," said Gentile. "I really feel like we are more prepared than any team going into the event for any weather conditions we may face. I don't think that this past weekend even comes close to showing what Illinois State is capable of, nor do I think it reflects the season we have had as a whole."
The 54-hole tournament will consist of 18 holes each day beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Valley teams will compete on the par-72, 6,043 yard course that is ranked as a top-15 Illinois golf course by Golf Digest.
