KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. – Indiana State struggled through the second round of the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship but there were some bright spots for the Sycamore with senior Christina Beyerl remaining in the hunt for medalist honors.
“This is a difficult course and playing even harder,” Greg Towne said after the second round Tuesday at The Club at Porto Cima. “The ladies are fighting hard and I just have to figure out as a coach what I can do to help them.”
Rain is forecast for the area Tuesday which has pushed back tee times by a hour with the 3first group heading off at 11 a.m. (CT).
“We are going to play in the rain tomorrow so anything can happen,” Towne said.
Beyerl found trouble early in her second round today but fought back on the back nine and finished with an 80 for a two-day total of 158 and tied for fifth. She is just seven shots out of the lead which is held by Illinois State's Katie Jean and Southern Illinois's Cassie Rushing as each have a 151 total. Bradley's Christie Lin and Northern Iowa's Alex Zenor are tied for third at 157.
“Christina had four doubles in her round but fought back to tie for fifth,” Towne said. “She is in great position to challenge for the individual title. We will all be working hard tomorrow, rain or shine, to move back up in the standings.”
Four of the top five teams shot 317 in the second round including Wichita State, Southern Illinois, Bradley, and Illinois State. The Shockers lead the team race heading into the final round with a 642 total with Southern Illinois second at 643. Missouri State, who had the low team round of the day at 313, is tied for third with Bradley at 645 with Illinois State fifth at 650.
Indiana State entered the day in fourth but dropped back to as low at eighth during the front nine. The Sycamores played much better on the back nine and finished with a 333 for the second round and a 683 total heading into the final round. Evansville is currently seventh (687) with Creighton eighth (689), Northern Iowa ninth (693) and Drake 10th (696).
Sophomore Amanda Smith has posted back to back 83s and is currently tied for 20th with a 166 total with junior McCall Christopher carded an 83 in the second round and tied for 21st with a 167 total. Senior Reece Feducia is in 33 rd with a 172 total while senior Emily Dixon is tied for 35th with a 174 total.
