May 7, 2011
Complete Results
NOTRE DAME, Ind. -
After waiting through a two hour and 12 minute lightning delay during the afternoon session, the Illinois State women's golf team got back on the course and finished play Saturday at NCAA Central Regional at the Warren Golf Course and finished in 23rd place overall.
The Redbirds moved up a spot in the final team rankings, after finishing the second round of play in the 24th spot. ISU finished the tournament with a three-round score of 966 (329-317-320), four strokes ahead of Butler's team score of 966. With all but one member of the roster returning for next season, ISU head coach Darby Sligh hopes the experience gained throughout the tournament will prepare her team for future successes.
"After another brutal day, I am proud of the way this team fought through adversity and came back to finish in the place we were seeded," Sligh said. "This is a large victory for such a young squad and we are able to take so many experiences away from this event."
Freshman Brianna Cooper saved her best round of tournament for Saturday, carding a three-over-par 75 to finish with a three-round score of 231 (78-78-75) to lead the way for the Redbirds and tie for 50th place overall.
The team's lone senior, Terra Miller, recorded a final-round 85 to finish in a tie for 101st place overall with a total of 242 (81-76-85). A member of four-straight Missouri Valley Conference championship teams, Miller wrapped up her impressive ISU career and Sligh acknowledged the efforts of her team leader.
"We will sorely miss Terra and all of the blood, sweat, and tears she poured into this team," Sligh said. "We have such a bright future to look forward to and preparation starts now."
Hannah Bachman finished just five strokes behind Miller and shot her best round of the weekend with a final-round 79 to finish the tournament in a tie for 117th place with a score of 247 (85-83-79). Katie Jean finished just one stroke behind with a final three-round score of 248 (86-81-81) and Rachel Powers rounded out the team with a total of 255 (85-82-88) to finish 125th overall.
The top-eight teams and the top two individuals not a part of an advancing team qualified for the 2011 NCAA Championships taking place May 17-20 in College Station, Texas, at the Traditions Golf Club. Top-seeded UCLA lived up to its billing and took the top spot in the 24-team field with a three-day score of 890 (+26).
LSU (+30) put together the third-best round of the day at eight over (296) to hold onto second by three shots over Minnesota, who posted an 11-over par final round to end the tournament 33-over par (897). Fourth-place Arkansas (+35) ended the tournament with the best team round of the weekend, carding a final round 289 (+1).
The host Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who finished fifth overall (+37) made the 24-team championship field for the first time in the program's 23-year history. Ohio State (+41), Stanford (+44) and Wake Forest (+45) rounded out the eight qualifying team in sixth through eighth, respectively.
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