NEWTON, Kan. – Senior Kiley Walsh fired an even par 72 (36-36) Monday to lead the Illinois State women's golf team in second-round action of the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Championship at the par-72, 6,018-yard Sand Creek Station Golf Course.
"Today was the day we needed," said head coach Darby Sligh. "The winds laid down and the course was very gettable. Morgan had her career low round today after a rough start and Kiley fought back to even par as well. We need anchors like that and multiple anchors to make any moves. It's hard to complain when you have your low round of the year as a team and I'm incredibly proud of the way this team has handled themselves. We have a tall order tomorrow, but we also have nothing to lose. Anything can happen."
Walsh sits in a tie for 11th place on the individual leaderboard with a 152 (80-72) and trails overall leader Frankie Saban of Bradley by eight strokes. Walsh produced one birdie on the front nine, before tallying two more on the back nine.
As a team, the Redbirds improved to fifth place with a two-round total of 615 (319-296), after shooting a 296 over the second 18 holes. Missouri State continues to lead 10-team championship with a 600 (305-295), three strokes ahead of second place Southern Illinois.
Sophomore Morgan Savage carded an even par 72 (36-36), breaking her career-low round. Savage produced two birdies, with one coming on each side, and has a two-round total of 164 (92-72).
Sophomore Paige Seiser and senior Abby Luchtenburg each shot a 4-over-par 76 to round out the second-round scoring for Illinois State. Seiser was able to produce four birdies, with two coming on each side helping her to crack the top-20 on the individual leaderboard. Luchtenburg tallied two birdies, with one coming on each side. Over the two days, Seiser has a 155 (79-76) and has a 158 (82-76).
Junior Caitlin Sims shot a 7-over-par 79 (40-39) and finished with one birdie in the second round. Sims is in a tied for 26th place after recording a 36-hole total of 157 (78-79).
The Redbirds conclude the championship Tuesday morning with the third and final round beginning at 8:30 a.m.
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