WICHITA, Kan. -- Senior Meaghan LeBlanc struggled on the back nine during the final round of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship, but her birdie on the 17th hole and sophomore Rikki Sobel's birdie on #18 helped seal the team championship for Bradley Tuesday afternoon at the Reflection Ridge Golf Club in Wichita, Kan.

Bradley shot 307 during Tuesday's final round of play to finish with a three-round total of 915, which ranks as the third-lowest 54-hole total in Valley championship history. Illinois State finished two shots behind Bradley with a total of 917 after firing a 310 during Tuesday's action.

Complete Results

The Braves entered the day in second place, one shot behind two-time defending champion Illinois State. Bradley shot an eight-over 152 on the front nine, however to grab a three-shot lead over the Redbirds at the turn. The Braves held a four-shot lead with all players through 13 holes, but Illinois State grabbed a two-shot lead through 15 after Kaitlin Troop and Hilary Anderson both birdied #15.

With the team's even through 16 holes, LeBlanc and sophomore Whitney Cox both shot birdies on #17 and Sobel birdied 18 to finish off her round and give the Braves their fourth Valley title overall and first since winning back-to-back conference crowns in 2002 and 2003.

LeBlanc shot an even par on the front nine, but bogeyed five of the first six holes on the back nine to move to five-over par through 15 holes. After shooting par on #16, she birdied the 17th and finish the round with a par to end the day at four-over 76. She was one of three players to share medalist honors, tying Illinois State's Samantha Richdale and Missouri State's Missy Linnens at 225.

LeBlanc joined former Bradley standout Kelly Dillon (1999 & 2002), Missouri State's Jessica Poulus (2000 & 01) and Richdale (2003, 04 & 06) as the only two-time medalists in Missouri Valley Conference history. Richdale and LeBlanc also reached another elite status, joining Illinois State's Jen Culley (1988-91) and Ann Verdermillen (1986-89) as the only four-time all-MVC honorees.

Sophomore Rikki Sobel earned her third top 10 finish of the season, placing sixth overall, three shots behind LeBlanc at 228. Sobel's 75 on the day tied freshman Bari-Lynn Erais for the team's low round of the afternoon. Erais earned her fifth top 10 finish of her freshman campaign as she tied for 10th place at 232.

Both Sobel and Erais joined LeBlanc on All-Missouri Valley Conference squad, while head coach Bo Ryan earned Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his tenure. Ryan was named Valley Coach of the Year in 1999 after guiding Bradley to its first-ever Valley Women's Golf title.

Cox rounded out the team scoring with a final round 81 to finish tied for 26th place at 239. Senior Whitney Bauer carded an 84 Tuesday to tie for 33rd place and junior Charlotte McGinnis finished one shot ahead of Bauer in 32nd place at 243.

Bradley will play in one of three NCAA Regionals which will be announced May 1. The 2006 NCAA Regionals will be played May 11-13 in Bryan, Texas (Texas A&M host), Browns Summit, N.C. (Wake Forest) and Auburn, Wash. (Washington). The Braves will be making their third NCAA Tournament appearance after making previous trips in 2002 and 2003.