PERRY PARK, KY --- In one of the biggest tournament of the season, the Prairie Stars nearly broke into the top-ten in the 27-team event in Perry Park, Kentucky. The Prairie Stars finished in 11
th place, just one stroke behind William Jewell College for a place in the top-ten. The three round tournament consisted of 27-teams --- 11 of which are in the GLVC.
UIS ended the first day in a tie for 12
th with a 320 total. UIS shaved one-stroke off their total on day two and moved into tenth place, but a final found 326 dropped them to 11
th place, one-stroke back of William Jewell and four ahead of Drury.
Of the 11 GLVC teams in the field, UIS finished fifth, finishing better than Drury, Lewis, Bellarmine, Quincy, McKendre, and St. Joseph's. Aside from finishing one back of William Jewell; UIndy and Southern Indiana finished second and third, while UMSL came in a tie for fifth.
Individually, UIS was led by
Maria Espinosa, who finished in a tie for 32
nd. The freshman from Columbia shot three consecutive 79's to finish the tournament at +21. The 21-over par matches a Prairie Star record for lowest 54-hole total, last done in the 2012-13 season.
Senior Rebecca Ramirez finished the tournament in a tie for 50
th, shooting an 83 on the opening day, followed by a pair of 80's for a 243 total. The +27 finish over three days is six strokes better than the senior had carded before, besting her previous 54-hole total in the 2014-15 GLVC Championship.
Jocelyn Matsen and
Kayla Yn each tied for 60
th, carding a 246 total for +30 over three rounds. Matsen carded a 77 in the opening round before finishing with an 81 and 88. Yn went 81-79-86 in the three rounds.
Charlotte Ng rounded out the scoring rounds for UIS with a tie for 79
th finish. Ng finished at +34 with three rounds of 83-86-81.
UIS had two individuals compete as well.
Taryn Pittman finished in a tie for 56
th as they went 80-79-86 for a total of 245 (+29).
Brooke Hill carded three rounds in the 80's for a tie for 86
th at 86-83-84 for a total of 253 (+37).
The Prairie Stars will compete again on April 10-11 at Norwood Country Club in the UMSL Spring Invitational.
