The University of Illinois Springfield women's golf team finished in the top half of the standings at its first meet of the 2020-21 season. The Prairie Stars were fifth in the ten-team meet, including third out of six GLVC programs.
 
UIS had a strong start in the 54-hole tournament, shooting a 317 and 311 on day one. That total placed the team in third heading into day two, and the squad played in the final grouping. The final 18 holes played harder for most of the field, and the Prairie Stars were not an exception. The team shot a 336 and finished fifth overall with a mark of 964, just a single shot behind Missouri-St. Louis.
 
Jennifer Queller led the Prairie Stars and finished tied for 13th with a score of 233. Her best outing came in the second round when she shot a one-over 73, which tied for the seventh-best round in program history. She had three birdies and 13 pars over those 18 holes. For the tournament, she tied for first among the tournament field with a 3.00 scoring average on par-three holes, and was fourth with 35 pars.
 
Transfer Madison DeRousse made an immediate impact and finished in the top-20 with a mark of 237. She was the only UIS player with two rounds under 78 after starting the tournament with a 76 and 77. Paula Valdivia was third on the team with a 244. She was consistent throughout with rounds of 81, 82 and 81. Both of those players had a scoring average below 4.40 on par-four holes, and each had 30 pars.
 
Rounding out the lineup were Brianna Harwell and Kathryn Gleason. Harwell finished with a 254, including two rounds of 82 or better. Gleason had a 257 in her first collegiate tournament, including breaking 80 in the second round with a 79.
 
UIS will be back in action on Oct. 4-5 when it hosts the Dan Salisbury Memorial at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Ill.