March 7, 2006

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. - Illinois State's 15-time Valley Player of the Week Samantha Richdale took first place at the 31st annual Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational. This win marks her second first-place finish for the season, alongside her victory at The Lady Northern, September 24-25, 2005.

Coach Pina Gentile was pleased with Richdale's first-place finish.

"Sam's win was outstanding," said Gentile. "I was proud of Sam for really hanging in there and walking away with the win. It was a great event for her."

Richdale carded a three-round total of 221(71,73,77), taking first place by two strokes from Rollins College Marie-Pierre Bernier. Richdale's first-place finish contributed to a Redbird fourth place finish with 954 (315,322,317). Following Richdale, teammate Hilary Anderson had her second top-15 finish of the season with 13th place shooting 234 (75,84,75). Ashlie Rose tied for 34th place with 247 (86,79,82), Olivia Campos tied for 50th place with 253 (84,86,83) and Marci Hill tied for 61st place with 257 (85,87,85).

Gentile felt the team will take many positives away from this event.

"Everyone went out and played the best they could," said Gentile. "As I look over the past couple of days, I see a lot of positives. Hilary came in with 75 today, which was a good turn around from her second round, Olivia continues to hit the ball better and her low scores will be coming soon and Marci did really well on the last eight holes of the day. We will continue to work on our consistency to get the team's scores down."

Host Rollins College took a 24-stroke lead to end day one and never let up, winning the tournament with a three-round score of 913. Following in second was Florida Southern with 944 and third was Richmond with 946. Illinois State secured fourth place two strokes ahead of Lynn University. Following Lynn University was Daytona Beach Community College, Methodist College, Western Washington, Nova Southeastern, West Florida, Barry University, Tarleton State and Stetson.

Gentile looked at this tournament as a learning experience, offering preparation towards the end of the season.

"It was a nice opportunity and good preparation to be playing outside," said Gentile. "Our main focus is preparing for the end of the season's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. All of the positives we take away from this tournament are making great strides toward that tournament."

The Redbirds continue to compete with another 54-hole tournament March 13-15 at the University of Nevada Las Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev.