Jan. 26, 2009
NAPLES, Fla. -
The Illinois State women's golf team headed south this past weekend to compete against Illinois in Naples, Fla., in the first-ever Illinois Challenge, at the Hideout Golf Club. The Redbirds fell to the Illini, 7-6.
The morning session featured four-ball matches, where Illinois State was defeated 1-3. The only pair to win in the morning round came from the duo of junior Stacey Miller and senior Tiffany Hockensmith, who defeated Illinois' Nancy Featherstone & Maureen Liddy.
The afternoon session was played individually. ISU needed six points to take the tournament, but fell just short with five afternoon points. Junior Marisa Milligan, senior Marci Hill, sophomore Terra Miller and Hockensmith all defeated an Illini golfer and each earned a point for the Redbirds. Junior Laura Harris and Miller finished the afternoon all square and earned half points for the Redbirds.
"This event was a great experience for our team," said Illinois State head women's golf coach Darby Sligh. "We were able to compete in a format that our student-athletes rarely get a chance to play in (four-ball matches). This sparked some things within the team that puts us miles ahead of where we were at this time last season. Most notably, coming back from a tough morning session and winning five out of the nine matches and splitting two other matches.
"Obviously, we would have liked to have walked away with the victory, but I can't ignore the fact that we had some key players step up to the challenge. We were able to prepare ourselves for the spring in a competitive setting, something we haven't had the opportunity to do in prior seasons. This team has shown they know how to fight; now, we must learn how to translate that to victories."
Illinois State will begin its spring season Feb. 13, 2009, at the Qdoba Collegiate in Miami.
