Southern Illinois University
Saluki Invitational
Women's Golf Wins Second Saluki Invitational Title
03/25/2002 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
March 25, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Senior Alison Hiller fired a two-round score of 156 to lead Southern Illinois to its second Saluki Invitational title in four years earlier today at Hickory Ridge Golf Course. Despite heavy rains which made playing conditions difficult throughout both days of the tournament, the Salukis went on to post a 641 mark as a team.
Hiller, who clinched her second Saluki Invitational Individual Championship, shot rounds of 77 and 79. In addition, her title marked the second straight SIU individual crown and third in the team's last four years. Prior to this season, Jennifer Shutt won in 2001 and Hiller won in 1999.
"It feels really good to win on our home course and with all of the people that came out and supported us, we felt like we needed to get this one for them," said Hiller. "Our coaches told us yesterday that this is a pre-conference warm-up so I think we made a statement to the other conference schools who participated in this tournament."
In addition to Hiller's solid outing, Kendra Hood (157) had a strong performance for the Salukis as well. Hood, who competed as an individual, shot rounds of 77 and 80 to edge Bradley's Kelly Dillon (158) by one stroke. Additionally, she ended up tying for second after trailing Dillon in the first day of the tournament.
Shutt and Andrea Turner then rounded out SIU's four top-10 individual placewinners. Shutt tied for fourth with a score of 158 (78-80), while Turner tied for eighth with a 160 (80-80).
SIU's tournament crown marked its first since 1999 as the Dawgs topped Bradley (643) by two strokes. Murray State (645) then came in third followed by Wichita State (649) and Illinois State (659) who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
"I'm just really proud of the team," said head coach Diane Daugherty. "With Alison winning the tournament, it probably means more to her than we'll ever know because she's a young lady that just tries so hard. We had such a great effort and hung tough."
The Salukis will return to action on April 12-13 at the Illini Spring Classic in Champaign, Ill.
Team Scores: 1. Southern Illinois, 319-322--641, 2. Bradley, 316-327--643, 3. Murray State, 321-324--645, 4. Wichita State, 331-318--649, 5. Illinois State, 328-331--659, 6. Toledo, 333-333--666, 7. Southwest Missouri State, 342-344--686, 8. Belmont, 348-342--690, 9. Ferris State, 348-346--694, 10. Eastern Illinois, 347-352--699, 11. Creighton, 353-363--716, 12. John A. Logan College, 375-362--737.
Saluki Individual Scores: 1. Alison Hiller, 79-77--156, T2. Kendra Hood, 77-80--157, T4. Jennifer Shutt, 78-80--158, T8. Andrea Turner, 80-80--160, T29. Megan Tarrolly, 82-87--169, T39. Stefanie Pate, 88-85--173, T45. Amy Rankin, 85-91--176.
