NEWTON, Kan. -- The Indiana State Sycamores have braved snow, rain and wind over the past three weeks and it paid dividends on Sunday in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship as they stand in second place following the first 18 holes, which was played in extreme conditions. The Sand Creek Station Golf Course is a par-72, 6,018-yard layout and the event is being hosted by Missouri State.
Indiana State led much of the way, holding as big as a two-shot lead through 12 holes. ISU finished with a round of 309 which is just four strokes off Missouri State's lead of 305.
Thilda Staubo is tied for the league lead in the individual race following a round of 75. Sunday's opening round was played in 37 degree weather with a real feel of 22 degrees and winds of up to 25 mph and steady.
"This was a good start," head coach
Greg Towne said. "We were well prepared for the weather. You couldn't win it today but you sure could lose it. We still have some upside and the ladies are swinging beautifully. The weather is wild and we will have to keep thinking."
It is a razor tight battle just behind the Sycamores as Loyola, who captured the ISU Spring Invitational last week is one shot behind the Sycamores with an opening 18 hole score of 310. Southern Illinois is fourth following an opening round of 312. Drake is fifth with a score of 317 while Illinois State is sixth after a tally of 319. Pre-championship favorite Bradley posted a score of 320 and tied with Northern Iowa for seventh place. Valparaiso carded a round of 322 in ninth place while Evansville rounds out the field with a score of 332.
The top eight teams are separated by just 15 shots with only a 27 stroke spread over the entire 10-team field.
Staubo is tied with Missouri State's Verena Gimmy and Rachel Johnson as well as Loyola's Jessie Staed for the individual lead with a score of 75.
Sierra Hargens shook off some early struggles to card a round of 77 and is currently in the Top 10 in a tie for eighth place.
Alex Jennings carded a round of 78 in the return to her hometown and is in a tie for 13th place.
Sophie Benetti tallied a round of 79 and is tied for 20th place.
Kayla Ryan, making her debut in the starting lineup, posted a round of 82 and is tied for 33rd place.
The second round begins on Monday at 11:30 a.m. (ET) with tee times beginning on holes No. 1 and No. 10.
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