Sunday, September 11, 2011

Valparaiso improved by seven strokes as a team during Sunday’s final round of the IU Fall Kick-off and finished in fifth place overall with a two round total of 665 (336-329) at the IU Golf Course in Bloomington, Ind.

“We played a little bit better today,” head coach Mat Blair said after the round.  “We’re really close to being able to compete at a top level.  We learned a lot from this weekend and will look to carry that into next week.”

Tournament host Indiana won the team title at 602 (305-297) while IUPUI and Indiana State shared the runner-up spot nine strokes behind the Hoosiers.

Kelly Voigt (Palatine, Ill./Fremd H.S.) led the way for the Brown and Gold, earning an 18^th place finish.  The sophomore matched her collegiate low round of 77 in Sunday’s final round to finish at 161 (84-77).

A.J. Selig completed her inaugural collegiate event in a tie for 22^nd after carding a final round 84.  The freshman posted a two-day total of 165 (81-84).  Michelle Kleckner (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale H.S.) and Erika Pfaender (Pewaukee, Wis./Arrowhead H.S.) both completed the tournament at 169.  Pfaender had the team’s second low round of the day, an 80, on the 5,709-yard, par-72 layout.  Kleckner fired a final round 86.

“Kelly and Erika really turned it around today,” Blair added.  “They posted some nice rounds.”

Brianna Davy (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) posted an 86 on Sunday to finish at 170 while Jessica O’Brien (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) shot a 94 to post a 36-hole total of 179.

The Hoosiers’ Rosie Davies won the individual title by three strokes with an even par total of 144 (72-72).

Valparaiso will return to action Sept. 19-20 as the Crusader host their first ever women’s golf tournament.  Play begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. both days at The Course at Aberdeen.