April 20, 2010
Stats
NEWBURGH, Ind. -
The Illinois State women's golf team won the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship by 14 strokes, the largest winning margin in five years, to become the second school in MVC history to win three-straight women's golf titles. The Redbirds had three players finish in the top-5 individually to win their 11th MVC Championship.
Head coach Darby Sligh was named MVC Coach of the Year for the third-straight year. She became just the second coach in conference history to be named coach of the year three-consecutive years, joining Tulsa's Dale McNamara.
"This championship was a combination of shear talent and an immense amount of heart," said Sligh. "Its one thing to talk about winning championships, but it's a different story to have a group unite as one year after year and accomplish their biggest goals. I could speak for hours on the character of this entire team and that's what makes it so special to see them succeed."
Senior Laura Harris led the Redbirds at the Rolling Hills Country Club, placing in second as an individual with a three-round score of 222 (72-73-77). Harris finished just three-strokes behind individual champion Olivia Lansing of Drake (219).
Seniors Stacey Miller and Marisa Milligan came in a close third and fourth place, respectively. Miller carded a final score of 224 (76-74-74). Milligan shot the lowest final round score for ISU with an even-par 72 to finish the tournament just two strokes behind Miller with a 226 (79-75-72).
Senior Britt Knutson tied for 16th place individually with a 237 (80-79-78). Junior Terra Miller posted a 245 (85-79-81) to end the tournament in a tie for 36th place.
Harris, Miller, Milligan and Knutson were all named All-Valley.
Illinois State maintained a solid lead throughout the final round, finishing 14 strokes ahead of second-place Drake. ISU carded a team score of 909 (307-301-301), while Drake shot a 923 (306-309-308). Indiana State (934) ended nine strokes behind Drake to finish in third. Completing the event only four strokes apart, Northern Iowa (938) and Missouri State (942) came in fourth and fifth place. In the bottom half of the field was Wichita State (951), Southern Illinois (954), Bradley (960), Creighton (968) and Evansville (1003).
"I'm honored to be able to coach a group of champions and to have been a part of a unit that has made their mark on history," Sligh said. "As for our next step, we are looking forward to another shot at making it out of regionals. This is the final chapter for the majority of this group, and I'm excited to see how the story ends."
The next stop for the Redbirds will be the NCAA Regional Championships, which will begin May 6.
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