BURLINGTON, IOWA. – The Illinois State women's golf team concluded the Missouri Valley Conference Championship Tuesday with a team score of 950 (318-321-311), finishing the tournament fourth overall at the Spirit Hollow Golf Course. During the final round, the Redbirds had the lowest round with a 311.
Senior Brianna Cooper and freshman Kiley Walsh were the only two Redbirds to claim a top-10 finish on the individual leaderboard. Cooper fell in the third round of play with an 8-over-par 80, but was still able to take third place on the individual leaderboard with a three-round score of 231 (74-77-80). Walsh led the Redbirds in the final round of play with a 3-over-par, firing a three-round score of 235 (77-83-75) and finishing the tournament tied for seventh overall.
Head coach Darby Sligh was very happy with how the team pushed through during the final day of play.
"What a great comeback for us, especially having the low round of the day today in crazy windy conditions," Sligh said. "We obviously did not set out to get fourth, but we fought until the very end the best we could. Top-10 finishes by Brianna and Kiley helped lead us, and I was proud of the way the seniors bounced back. We have a bright future ahead, and we will start preparing for next year as soon as we get back."
Seniors Hayley Guyton and Lauren English improved their games in the final round, each firing a 6-over-par 78. Guyton finished the tournament with a score of 241 (84-79-78), while English wasn't far behind, shooting three birdies on the final day to end with a three-round score of 243 (83-82-78). Rounding out the Redbird line-up was sophomore Renee Solberg, who shot her best round on the final day, finishing with a three round score of 259 (91-86-82).
Wichita State was able gain the Missouri Valley Conference Championship title for the second year in a row. WSU finished with a team score of 924 (301-311-312). Missouri State came in second place with a final score of 937 (310-313-314), while Southern Illinois climbed up one spot to take third, finishing with a team score of 948 (302-332-314).
WSU's Alejandra Arellano took medalist honors with a 222 (72-74-76).
Illinois State will return to the course for the 2015-16 season beginning in September.
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