RIO VERDE, Ariz.– After the first day was canceled because of unseasonably cold weather, the Illinois State Redbirds kicked off action at the Rio Verde Invitational and are six strokes off of the lead with 18 holes to play in the event.
"We had a great start but then stumbled a little in the middle of the round," said women's golf coach Breanne Hall. "I am pleased with how we finished strong. We put ourselves in a good position being six shots out of the lead going into tomorrow."
ISU was led by Becca Black's one-over par 72 on the day, which has her in a three-place tie for fourth overall in the field.
Illinois State's 19-over 303 stands six strokes behind round-one leader Arkansas State's 297. Boise State (298), Xavier (299), host Western Michigan (300), Bowling Green (302), and Seton Hall (302) all stand within striking distance ahead of the Redbirds.
Morgan Savage used a four-over 75 on the 6,075-yard, par-71 course to push into a tie for 16th place in the deep field of 101 golfers. Also, near the top of the lineup for the Redbirds is Caitlin Sims who is tied for 31st with a five-over 76. Rounding out the scoring four for ISU was Paige Seiser who finished nine strokes over par on the round, and in a tie for 66th overall. Emma Sutton carded a 12-over 83 for the Redbirds while Tatum King – playing as an individual – finished with a 10-over 81.
Illinois State returns to action for the second of two rounds in the event, as the squad tees off at 1 p.m. (MT).
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