VENICE, Fla. – For the first time in Illinois Challenge history, the Fighting Illini women's golf team did not relinquish a single match to the Illinois State Redbirds, defeating the in-state rivals 8.5-.5 at the 2016 event. This is Illinois' largest margin of victory ever recorded at the Illinois Challenge.

"The team showed strong play coming down the back nine in today's individual matches," shared head coach Renee Slone. "Our putting also stuck out today and was very good from top to bottom."

The Orange and Blue swept the board in the morning four-ball action. Stephanie Miller and Bing Singhsumalee teamed up to take down Illinois State's Courtnee Cossell and Caitlin Sims 3&1. Sophomores Grace Park and Pailin Ruttanasupagid defeated Abby Luchtenburg and Maggie Ambrose 5&4. In the final match up, Dana Gattone and Chayanid Prapassarangkul topped the Redbirds' Kiley Walsh and Renee Solberg 2&1.

With a 3-0 lead heading into the afternoon individual matches, the Fighting Illini kept their foot on the gas, claiming 5 of 6 match ups and finishing all square in the final contest.

First back to the club house was Miller, topping her counterpart 4&3 to put Illinois up 4-0. Next to finish were Singhsumalee and Park who won 4&2 and 5&3, respectively.

Gattone finished next, topping Abby Luchtenburg 3&2. Prapassarangkul followed suit, defeating Maggie Ambrose by the same margin. Ruttanasupagid and Kiley Walsh finished all square on the day.

The team will get in another practice and nine holes tomorrow before departing Florida. Coach Slone shared that the focus of the practice will be scoring and course management.

UI will have a quick turnaround on campus, competing in the Westbrook Spring Invitational the next weekend in Peoria, Arizona. The two-day, 54-hole competition is hosted by the University of Wisconsin and will feature a 15-team field.

Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Women's Golf as the team begins the spring season. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for even more coverage.

FOUR-BALL RESULTS

Miller/Singhsumalee def. Cossell/Sims (ISU) – 3&1

Park/Ruttanasupagid def. Luchtenburg/Ambrose (ISU) – 5&4

Gattone/Prapassarangkul def. Walsh/Solberg (ISU) – 2&1

SINGLES RESULTS

Stephanie Miller def. Courtnee Cossell (ISU) – 4&3

Bing Singhsumalee def. Caitlin Sims (ISU) – 4&2

Grace Park def. Renee Solberg (ISU) – 5&3

Dana Gattone def. Abby Luchtenburg (ISU) – 3&2

Chayanid Prapassarangkul def. Maggie Ambrose (ISU) – 3&2

Pailin Ruttanasupagid vs. Kiley Walsh (ISU) - AS