The Valparaiso University women’s golf team sits in third place of 10 teams at the Braun Intercollegiate in Evansville, Ind. with a team score of 312 after the event’s first round on Monday. Junior Katie Willenbrink (Mishawaka, Ind. / Penn) is Valpo’s top performer through one day of competition.  

How It Happened

• Willenbrink stroked a 74, putting her in a tie for fourth overall.
• Senior Angie Kim (Schaumburg, Ill. / Fremd) is tied for seventh after one round. She stroked a 76 to rank second on the Crusaders.
• Sophomore Kylie Shoemake (Schererville, Ind. / Lake Central) posted an 80 and is tied for 15^th.
• Sophomore Madison McCreary Batesville, Ind. / Batesville) carded an 82, while senior Sydney Shrum (Cloverdale, Ind. / Cloverdale) scored an 83.
• Freshman Tiffany Curtis (Crown Point, Ind. / Crown Point) and freshman Kayla Krueger (Spring Lake, Mich. / Spring Lake) are competing as individuals in the event. Curtis is tied for 29^th with an 83, while Krueger posted an 89 on the first day of competition.

Inside the Rounds

• Willenbrink’s score was one stroke over her career best of 73. Kim also missed a season best by one stroke.
• Entering the second and final round on Tuesday, the Crusaders are just nine strokes in back of first-place Evansville. They are four strokes out of second place, which is currently occupied by Butler.
• The Crusaders own a five-stroke lead on fourth-place Indiana State and a seven-stroke advantage on Horizon League foe Northern Kentucky, which sits in fifth place.

Quotes from Coach Josh Kalita

"Overall the ladies played pretty solidly today and we are pleased with our performance in the first round. We came ready to compete and put ourselves in a good position heading into the final round. You want to be 'in the hunt' playing in the final groups for the last round and we have that opportunity. The ladies prepared well over the past few days and have really been focusing on making the game simple - we are excited to give them a run tomorrow. If we focus on giving ourselves good looks and playing our own game that just might happen.

“Katie and Angie were great leaders for the team today. Katie didn't have her best stuff, but her ball was in play and her short game was solid which kept her card clean. That's the approach you have to have and it sets a good example for the other ladies. Angie was really consistent throughout the round which gave her the opportunity to make a lot of pars. Kylie also added a solid round; she did a good job of keeping it in play and fought to post another good score for the team."

Up Next

Round 2 of the Braun Intercollegiate will take place on Tuesday. It will be the final round of the fall season for the Crusaders.