ISU Dominates Missouri Valley Conference Championship with Spectacular Lead
WATERLOO, Ill. – The excitement is palpable as the Illinois State women’s golf team has surged ahead at the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Championship, extending their lead to an impressive 20 strokes with just one round left to play. The Redbirds are on the brink of history, looking to become the first school to capture back-to-back titles since the triumphant seasons of 2017 and 2018.
A Look at the Standings
The Redbirds have demonstrated remarkable consistency and skill, as each of their five players is ranked 10th or better in the standings. Jinyoung Yun and Elise Fennell are leading the charge, both tied for second place in the individual rankings. In the second round, ISU fired an impressive 289, which is tied for the third-lowest team score in MVC Championship history. This performance has positioned the team to own two of the five lowest single-round scores in the championship’s history.
Current Team Rankings:
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Illinois State (ISU) | 579 |
| Southern Illinois | 599 |
| Drake | 599 |
| Bradley | 600 |
| Missouri State | 602 |
| Evansville | 606 |
| Northern Iowa | 615 |
| Murray State | 616 |
| Belmont | 617 |
| UIC | 619 |
| Indiana State | 632 |
| Valparaiso | 648 |
Stellar Performances on the Course
Amidst the fierce competition, Lory Paradis shined with a team-low score of 71, featuring five birdies and nine pars throughout her round. Meanwhile, both Yun and Fennell showcased their skills, carding even-par 72s. Yun recorded two birdies and an impressive 14 pars, while Fennell notched three birdies with 12 pars.
In addition, Morgan Jones stands strong with a two-over round, generating 16 pars and sharing the spotlight as she sits tied for fifth place. Jessica Jolly, despite a second-round score of 76, maintains her competitive edge and is currently tied for eighth, after securing two birdies and 11 pars during her round.
The Final Push
As the Redbirds gear up for their final round in pursuit of a second consecutive title and their third championship in four years, the excitement will be palpable at the course. Paradis will begin the day off for the Redbirds promptly at 9:50 a.m. with her teammates following in succession: Jolly at 10:00 a.m., Jones at 10:10 a.m., Fennell at 10:20 a.m., and Yun at 10:30 a.m..
Don’t miss the action! Stay updated and follow the team’s progress through GoRedbirds.com or the Illinois State Redbirds App, your all-in-one source for tickets, the Weisbecker Athletic Fund, multimedia content, Redbird merchandise, and photography.
Conclusion
With the Illinois State Redbirds leading in this championship, the stage is set for an exhilarating showdown on the final day. Will they defend their title and make history? As their pursuit continues, one thing is certain: the thrill of college golf is at its peak!
