Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Monday, February 23
DeLand, FL
Southern Illinois University
at
Babs Steffens Invitational
Calli Smith
Smith Shines, Dawgs Rally to Lowest Tournament Round of the Season
02/24/2026 | 11:14:00 | Women's Golf
The Salukis wrapped up their second tournament of 2026 Tuesday at the Babs Steffens Invitational in DeLand, Florida. After shooting +94, they finished 12th—five spots higher than their last invitational finish—and displayed consistent improvement throughout the two-day event.
Calli Smith was the star for the Salukis, finishing tied for eighth after shooting 77 (+6) in Round 1, 71 (E) in Round 2, and 75 (+4) in Round 3. It was the second straight tournament in which a Southern Illinois golfer finished inside the top ten. Kayla Sayyalinh finished ninth when the team was in Florida two weeks ago.
Sayyalinh played well again, finishing tied for 40th in a 90-plus player field. Tuesday's 301 (+17) in the third round also tied the team's lowest round of the season. Southern Illinois shot 333 in Round 1 and 316 in Round 2.
This is a team on the rise and getting better with every invitational. Head coach Sam Sambursky already sees the team shifting the way it approaches each event.
"Changing a team culture is a process," Sambursky said, "and this group is starting to believe in and trust that process. We're taking steps forward. Now our focus shifts to improving our first round and setting the tone earlier. Proud of the way we finished—our best round came at the end."
Below is how each player performed:
Calli Smith was the star for the Salukis, finishing tied for eighth after shooting 77 (+6) in Round 1, 71 (E) in Round 2, and 75 (+4) in Round 3. It was the second straight tournament in which a Southern Illinois golfer finished inside the top ten. Kayla Sayyalinh finished ninth when the team was in Florida two weeks ago.
Sayyalinh played well again, finishing tied for 40th in a 90-plus player field. Tuesday's 301 (+17) in the third round also tied the team's lowest round of the season. Southern Illinois shot 333 in Round 1 and 316 in Round 2.
This is a team on the rise and getting better with every invitational. Head coach Sam Sambursky already sees the team shifting the way it approaches each event.
"Changing a team culture is a process," Sambursky said, "and this group is starting to believe in and trust that process. We're taking steps forward. Now our focus shifts to improving our first round and setting the tone earlier. Proud of the way we finished—our best round came at the end."
Below is how each player performed:
- Calli Smith — Tied for 8th overall (223): 77 (Round 1), 71 (Round 2), 75 (Round 3)
- Kayla Sayyalinh — Tied for 40th (237): 80 (Round 1), 81 (Round 2), 76 (Round 3)
- Allie Santos — Tied for 52nd (242): 86 (Round 1), 83 (Round 2), 73 (Round 3)
- Ella Overstreet — Tied for 74th (255): 90 (Round 1), 88 (Round 2), 79 (Round 3)
- Amelia Zinger — Tied for 81st (259): 99 (Round 1), 81 (Round 2), 79 (Round 3)
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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