March 25, 2014

Team Results | Individual Results

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C.. - The Illini women's golf team did not let the first two rounds of play at the Briars Creek Invitational faze them as they rebounded with a strong final round score of 293 (+5). As a result, the Orange and Blue climbed four spots in the standings to finish in 11th place in the 17-team field with a 919 (+55) team total. 

Thus, after rounds of +28 and +22, Illinois improved its team play by 17 strokes for a +5 score on Tuesday. In addition, the Illini's 293 final round was the third best team score on the day, following only behind champion Texas Tech and runner-up Penn State. 

"We really took the lessons that we learned from yesterday's conditions and what the course gave us, and worked really hard to apply those today," said Illinois assistant coach Jenny Coluccio. "They did a great job of staying patient while also being aggressive when the opportunity presented itself." 

All five Illini golfers recorded their best rounds on Tuesday. Ember Schuldt, Stephanie Miller and Emily Joers all finished in a tie for 37th place with a 229 (+13) total. Sam Postillion tied for 51st and rounded out the team score with a 233 (+17) total, while Michelle Mayer ended up in 78th, scoring a 244 (+28).  

Ember Schuldt, who improved her game by six strokes in the second round, improved it once more by eliminating another five strokes off her round total to tally a 71 today. The senior was the lone golfer on the team to record a round under par, climbing 18 spots in the individual standings over the final round. 

Stephanie Miller shot an even-par 72 round on Tuesday to jump 13 spots in the standings. It marked the freshman's second even-par round this spring. 

Emily Joers finished first (tie) amongst her teammates for the first time in her career, tying her best spring total thus far at +13. Joers also produced her lowest round of 2014 with a two-over-par, 74 today. 

Sam Postillion finished her tournament with a 76. The redshirt junior, along with Joers, tied for the fifth most birdies accumulated at Briars Creek with eight each. 

Lastly, Michelle Mayer recorded her best tournament finish of 2013-14, besting her previous mark of 255 (+39) by 11 strokes. The junior led all golfers on par-3 scoring with a 2.92 stroke average, good for a -1 score. 

"We are proud of how they stayed strong and how they didn't stop fighting," added Coluccio on the team's final round effort. "They never give up and they fight for each other, every round and every stroke."

Up next, the Illini have a week off of tournament action before competing in the Marsh Landing Invitational in Ponte Vedra, Fla. on April 7-8.