Crusader Women Finish Fifth at IU Fall Kick-off
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Crusader Women Finish Fifth at IU Fall Kick-off
Erika Pfaender turned in a second round 80. (Ray Acevedo)

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 18th 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 22nd 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.