RIO VERDE, Ariz. – The Illinois State women's golf team concluded Western Michigan's Rio Verde Invitational Sunday in 15th place, after shooting a 319 in the final round to finish with a 960 (331-310-319) at the par-72, 6,128-yard Quail Run Golf Course.
Seton Hall rallied to win the 19-team field with a three-round total of 902 (307-296-299), one stroke ahead of second-place Akron.
Senior Abby Luchtenburg finished with the lowest three-round score for the Redbirds, after carding a 6-over-par 78 (39-39) in the final round, for a total score of 233 (80-75-78), placing her in a tie for 36th place on the individual leaderboard. The senior produced one birdie on the front nine. Sophomore Morgan Savage constructed a three-round score of 239 (83-76-80), as she shot an 80 (42-38) in the final round.
Junior Caitlin Sims finished the tournament with her lowest round, shooting a 7-over-par 79 in the final round, for a total score of 241 (82-80-79). Sims carded one birdie on the back nine. Sophomore Paige Seiser shot a three-round total of 247 (86-79-82), while senior Kiley Walsh finished with a total score of 260 (90-86-84).
"What a frustrating weekend for us," said head coach Darby Sligh. "We just can't seem to get a stable foothold in our scoring. When we make progress we seem to give it right back. We have to work on approach shots before Dallas. We are struggling getting the ball close from around 150-yards and it is putting too much pressure on our short games that we more practice post-winter. All is not lost and we were able to celebrate a few small victories within the squad. Everyone is committed to putting in the work so I look forward to getting back on grass soon and working things through."
Up Next
The Redbirds return to action March 12-13 when they travel to Dallas, Texas to compete in the Bradley Spring Break Invitational.
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