Southern Illinois University
MVC Championships
Salukis look for win at MVC Championship
04/13/2019 | 8:00:00 | Women's Golf
What: 2019 MVC Championship
Host: Valparaiso University
Where: Sand Creek Country Club, Chesterton, Indiana
When: Sunday, April 14, to Tuesday, April 16
Who's playing: Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Illinois State, Indiana State, Loyola, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Valparaiso
The Salukis are set to compete in the 54-hole 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Championship starting on Monday at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana. The players traveling are, sophomore Emilyee McGiles, graduate Jackie Biggs, sophomore Moyea Russell, junior Erica Kerr, and junior Lili Klekner-Alt.
Southern Illinois was selected third in a pre-championship coaches' poll released by the MVC on Friday. Two-time defending champion Missouri State received the most votes, followed by Bradley. The Salukis are coming off a seventh place finish at the Jan Weaver Invitational and are currently ranked third overall in MVC standings (via GolfStat).
At the MVC Preview in October 2018, SIU finished fourth behind Illinois State. Lili Klekner-Alt finished eighth with teammates Emilyee McGiles and Erica Kerr both tied for 10th.Â
The Salukis have had seven top-10 finishes this season including a first-place finish at the Saluki Invite, and six top-five finishes. Junior Erica Kerr has placed in the top-10 four times this season with an impressive third-place finish at the 25th Annual Saluki Invitational.
"I'm confident in this team," SIU head coach Danielle Kaufman said. "We have prepared all week. As long as we maintain our confidence and mental toughness, I have no doubt we can win this."
The 10-team field will compete at Sand Creek Country Club, a par-72 course spanning 6,084 yards for tournament play. The first round will not be played on Sunday due to the unfavorable weather forecast. Teams will play 36 holes on Monday beginning at 9:30 am CT, and play the final 18 holes on Tuesday as scheduled. Valley teams will be playing the Creek & Marsh courses for 54-holes and tee off from the 1st and 10th holes. The course is characterized by extensive wetlands, creeks, ponds, and rolling terrain. With winds from the north off Lake Michigan, the course puts a premium on club selection and accuracy.
"Weather is always a factor, but everyone is playing in the same conditions," SIU head coach Danielle Kaufman said. "We can handle it."
This is the first time in Valpo's program history hosting a conference championship in women's golf and also marks their first time hosting an MVC Championship in any sport. The MVC tournament champion will advance to the NCAA Regionals.
Due to inclement weather, the Salukis are scheduled to tee off at 9:30 a.m. CT on Monday to begin the first round. The weather is forecast to be mostly sunny with a high of 51 ºF. Live scoring will be available on GolfStat.com.
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Players Mentioned
