NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State head women's golf coach Breanne Hall has announced the addition of Orla O'Leary starting in the 2022-23 season.
O'Leary, the Great American Conference Freshman of the Year last year, is originally from Galashiels, Scotland. She played last season for Arkansas Tech where she played in seven tournaments during the season, including the NCAA Division II Central regional Regionals, placing in a tie of 35th individually.
"We are excited to welcome Orla to the Redbird Golf family," said Hall. "She showed a lot of growth during her freshman year, and I am looking forward to her building on that momentum here. Orla is passionate about the game and will continue to push herself to help elevate our program."
In addition, O'Leary was named to the All-GAC Honorable Mention team after averaging 78.47 strokes per round during her season. Her low round came at the Emerald Coast Classic with a 74 and her opening round 76 at the NCAA Central Regional had her in 15th place after the opening 18 holes of the tournament.
The Scotland native was the British Junior Masters Champion, in addition to being a European Junior Open finalist. She joins a Redbird team that advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in nine seasons after taking home the 2022 MVC Title.
O'Leary will be one of two newcomers to the team, as she will join Dani Grace Schrock to the strong Redbird lineup that lost just one golfer from its six golfers that competed at the Central Regional – including MVC Women's Golfer of the Year Ali Schrock and All-MVC honoree Avalon Woodward.
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