NEWTON, Kan. – Sophomore Paige Seiser and senior Kiley Walsh both produced solid rounds in Tuesday's third and final round of the Missouri Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship, earning top 10 finishes on the individual leaderboard at the par-72, 6,018-yard Sand Creek Station Golf Course.
The Redbirds finished in a tie for fifth place with Loyola, with a three-round score of 914 (319-296-299). Missouri State defended their MVC Championship by shooting an 887 (305-295-287), 14 strokes ahead of second place Northern Iowa. With their victory, Missouri clinched a position in the NCAA Regionals in May.
Seiser fired an impressive even par 72 (35-37) in the final round, tying her collegiate low 18-hole round, to finish in a tie for 10th place on the individual leaderboard with a 227 (79-76-72). The 227 was also Seiser's lowest three-round total of the season. She carded an incredible 1-under-par 35 over the first nine holes, with three birdies, and shot a 1-over-par 37 on the back.
Walsh shot a 3-over-par 75 (39-36) in her final round as a Redbird to finish with a 227 (80-72-75), which was good enough for a 10th place tie. She recorded a 3-over-par 39 on the front nine, before tallying two birdies on the back nine for an even par 36.
Junior Caitlin Sims placed in a tie for 26th by shooting a 232 (78-79-75). The junior recorded her low round of the tournament by carding a 3-over-par 75 (37-38), which included 1-over-par 37 on the front nine. Sophomore Morgan Savage shot a 5-over-par 77 (39-38) in the final round to finish with a 241 (92-72-77). The sophomore's final round included a total of three birdies, with two occurring on the front nine and one on the back nine. Senior Abby Luchtenburg, who was also competing in her final round as a Redbird, recorded an 80 (40-40). Luchtenburg concluded the event at 238 (82-76-80).
"It is always bittersweet when the season comes to an end and you can't keep playing when you've hit your stride," said head coach Darby Sligh. "I'm proud of the way the girls fought this trip and the heart and guts they showed in the final two rounds. We lost a few shots on the last hole today which left the underclassmen hungry for next year. We simply have to make more putts outside of 10 feet to compete to win championships. Paige and Kiley finished with top 10 finishes which is a huge accomplishment that they have worked hard for. We are also thankful for everything both Kiley and Abby have done for this program as seniors both in the classroom, on the course, and within the squad. They will be missed."
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