April 16, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's golf team earned four Missouri Valley Conference Awards the same night as the Redbirds claimed their league-record ninth conference title. Head coach Darby Sligh was named Coach of the Year, redshirt sophomore Marisa Milligan was named Newcomer of the Year and All-Conference, and sophomore Stacey Miller was named to the All-Conference team.
Milligan joined the ISU squad in January and placed in the top-25 in each of her five events this spring including a season-best sixth-place tie at the Gainesville Shootout III (March 13-15). The Normal, Ill. native also leads the Redbirds in scoring with a 76.1 average through 14 rounds.
"Marisa has come in and been solid for us all spring," said Sligh. "She is a great addition to our team in that we know we can count on her every time out."
Miller, a two-time MVC Golfer of the Week selection, was named to the all-conference team for the first time in her career. The Bloomington, Ill. native currently leads ISU having competed in 11 events with 27 rounds played. She yields a 77.8 scoring average, which ranks second on the team.
"Stacey had a great fall and has been one of our most consistent players this season," added Sligh. "The great thing about this team is that we have no seniors. We want this to be just the first step in really taking our program to the next level and the girls are definitely excited about the future of Redbird golf."
Sligh, who is in her first year at the helm of Illinois State women's golf team, joins Ray Kralis (2003, 2005), Tracy Djerk (1997) and Chris Clark (1993) as ISU coaches to claim Missouri Valley Coach of the Year honors.
"It is an honor to be named Coach of the Year," said Sligh. "With the quality of the coaches in the conference it was definitely a little unexpected but I am so excited for our program."
The Redbirds do not return to action until May 8-10 when they will compete in either the NCAA Central or East Regional. Pairings, sites and tee times will be released at a later date.
