RIO VERDE, Ariz. – Senior Abby Luchtenburg carded a solid 3-over-par 75 (38-37) Saturday to lead the Redbirds in second-round action of Western Michigan's Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational at the par-72, 6,128-yard Quail Run Golf Course.
Luchtenburg shot a 2-over-par 38 on the front nine before finishing with one birdie on the back to move her into a tie for 37th place on the individual leaderboard. As a team, ISU is in 16th place with a two-round total of 641 (331-310). The Redbirds improved on their first-round score by 21 strokes, the largest stroke improvement in the 17-team field. Akron continues to lead the invitational with a 599 (306-293), four strokes ahead of second-place Seton Hall.
Finishing a stroke behind Luchtenburg in the second-round was sophomore Morgan Savage. The sophomore shot a 4-over-par 76 (38-38) and has a two-round total of 159 (83-76). Sophomore Paige Seiser improved on her first-round score by seven stokes by constructing a 7-over-par 79 (40-39). Seiser has a 36-hole score of 165 (86-79).
Rounding out the scoring for the Redbirds was junior Caitlin Sims who carded an 80 (41-39), with one birdie occurring on both nine hole rounds. The junior has a two-round total of 162 (82-80). Senior Kiley Walsh shot an 86 (43-43). Walsh's 36-hole score is a 176 (90-86).
"We made moves in the right direction today," head coach Darby Sligh said. "Abby and Morgan anchored us and that's huge to show some depth. We still have a lot of work to do in just about every area, but I am proud of the way we bounced back today."
The Redbirds conclude the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational Sunday morning with the third and final round.
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