The Xavier women’s golf team finished 10th out of 16 teams at the Illini Spring Classic at the University of Illinois. The team shot a 664 (336-328) in two rounds of action, finishing at a total of 88-over-par. The winning team, Notre Dame, finished at 43-over-par with a score of 619. Other teams finishing ahead of Xavier included Illinois, Ohio, Western Michigan, Bradley, Illinois State, Grand Valley State, Southwest Missouri State and Bowling Green.

Senior Paula Greening (Northfield, IL) posted the low score for XU with a two-round total of 160 (81-79). The score was good enough for 18th overall. Also finishing in the "Top 25" for the Musketeers was senior Melissa Beck (Cincinnati, OH) with a 162 (80-82). Beck placed 25th and was 18-over-par.

Head Coach Tony Kountz was happy with the efforts of his seniors as well as his underclassmen. "We played solid in this tournament and we were once again led by Melissa (Beck) and Paula (Greening). Jill Stein (Sussex, WI) and Kelly Bego (Indianapolis, IN) made the move on the field when they came back from first round 88s to shoot 83 and 84, respectively in the final round." Bego finished with a 171 (88-83), while Stein carded a 172 (88-84). Sophomore Beth Hamilton (West Chester, OH) continued to make improvements, shooting a consistent 147 (87-87).

But Kountz was perhaps most pleased with defeating rival Cincinnati in the tournament. XU finished six strokes ahead of UC after trailing by four strokes after day one. It was the first time this spring that the two teams have faced each other. "I knew we didn’t have a great chance to catch Notre Dame, but I also knew we could move up a few spots and beat our crosstown rival UC," said Kountz. "We played much better the second day and were able to finish a spot ahead of them. I am happy we beat UC."

The team will wrap up the 2000-2001 campaign this coming weekend at Ohio State.