Women's College Golf: St. Edward's University: Season Preview
2015—2016 season preview
WOmen's GOLF
After capturing two tournament titles, a second place finish at the NCAA West Regional Championship, a sixth place finish at the NCAA National Tournament, one second-team All-American and one academic All-American, the 2014–2015 women’s golf team recorded another successful season. Returning six players from last year and adding three new players, this year’s squad has the makings to continue the program’s winning tradition. “We draw strength from our past filled with rich tradition, but we try not to dwell on it by focusing on what’s in front of us,” Head Coach Jennifer McNeil said. “Because we are returning the majority of our roster from last season, we have high expectations of making a postseason push.”
THE TEAM Gone from this year’s team are three-time All-American Haley Haught and lineup mainstay Marissa Bransburg. Both players appeared in every tournament last season, and their leadership will be missed.
THE SCHEDULE The Hilltoppers again have one of the toughest schedules in the nation. From the start, the quality of competition is evident with St. Edward’s taking part in the UIndy Fall Invitational; the University of Indianapolis team is the defending national champion. The Hilltoppers will follow that with a trip out west to compete in the Dixie State Invitational in St. George, Utah; heading down I-35 to the Incarnate Word Fall Invitational in San Antonio; and then traveling to Puerto Rico to wrap up fall action in the University of Illinois– Springfield Island Getaway. The spring schedule begins with a tournament hosted by St. Mary’s. The team will then host its annual St. Edward’s Invitational at Onion Creek Country Club. After a tough tournament in Florida, and a regional-heavy tournament hosted by Rogers State, the Hilltoppers will head west to take part in Western New Mexico’s tournament. The regular season ends with a trip to play in Tarleton State’s tournament before heading to Horseshoe Bay for the Heartland Conference Championship at Slick Rock Golf Club.
Returning to the squad are juniors Sandy Livas and Isabel Morales, along with sophomore Johany Rivera. Livas and Rivera were lineup veterans who competed in every tournament. Rivera was last year’s Heartland Conference Tournament medalist, and Morales played in 11 events, earning academic All-America status. All three will use the experience gained last year to guide this year’s team back to postseason play.
“Our schedule is always one of the most difficult in the West Region,” McNeil said. “I enjoy playing a tough schedule because it prepares us for postseason play. It also allows us to play against other regions.”
The other returning upperclassmen for the Hilltoppers include seniors Taylor Dillingham and Jessica Tamen, as well as junior Brianna Vogel. Tamen hopes for a return to form; she was the Hilltoppers’ top player at the start of her freshman season but missed the remainder of the season due to an injury. Both Dillingham and Vogel have seen action every year they have competed at St. Edward’s.
“I am excited to see what this season brings,” McNeil said. “We have a good core group of players and a solid schedule, so we should be prepared for a fantastic year.”
“After losing a strong player like Haught, you have to find players to fill that gap,” said McNeil. “We need to draw strength from our returners to continue the success that we have been able to maintain over the last handful of seasons.” The Hilltoppers add freshmen Ana Sofia Benavides (Mexico City, Mexico) and Bailey Dickerson (El Paso, Texas), along with junior transfer Shannelle Tafoya (Adams State). Benavides was a member of the Mexico Olympic Golf Team in 2013 and 2014, and Dickerson was first-team all-district performer all four years of high school. “All three newcomers possess different skill sets,” McNeil said. “Tafoya already has collegiate experience, while Benavides and Dickerson had outstanding junior careers. I expect all three to push for a spot in the lineup.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
Learn more about Hilltopper women's golf at: GoHilltoppers.com
WOmen's GOLF
After capturing two tournament titles, a second place finish at the NCAA West Regional Championship, a sixth place finish at the NCAA National Tournament, one second-team All-American and one academic All-American, the 2014–2015 women’s golf team recorded another successful season. Returning six players from last year and adding three new players, this year’s squad has the makings to continue the program’s winning tradition. “We draw strength from our past filled with rich tradition, but we try not to dwell on it by focusing on what’s in front of us,” Head Coach Jennifer McNeil said. “Because we are returning the majority of our roster from last season, we have high expectations of making a postseason push.”
THE TEAM Gone from this year’s team are three-time All-American Haley Haught and lineup mainstay Marissa Bransburg. Both players appeared in every tournament last season, and their leadership will be missed.
THE SCHEDULE The Hilltoppers again have one of the toughest schedules in the nation. From the start, the quality of competition is evident with St. Edward’s taking part in the UIndy Fall Invitational; the University of Indianapolis team is the defending national champion. The Hilltoppers will follow that with a trip out west to compete in the Dixie State Invitational in St. George, Utah; heading down I-35 to the Incarnate Word Fall Invitational in San Antonio; and then traveling to Puerto Rico to wrap up fall action in the University of Illinois– Springfield Island Getaway. The spring schedule begins with a tournament hosted by St. Mary’s. The team will then host its annual St. Edward’s Invitational at Onion Creek Country Club. After a tough tournament in Florida, and a regional-heavy tournament hosted by Rogers State, the Hilltoppers will head west to take part in Western New Mexico’s tournament. The regular season ends with a trip to play in Tarleton State’s tournament before heading to Horseshoe Bay for the Heartland Conference Championship at Slick Rock Golf Club.
Returning to the squad are juniors Sandy Livas and Isabel Morales, along with sophomore Johany Rivera. Livas and Rivera were lineup veterans who competed in every tournament. Rivera was last year’s Heartland Conference Tournament medalist, and Morales played in 11 events, earning academic All-America status. All three will use the experience gained last year to guide this year’s team back to postseason play.
“Our schedule is always one of the most difficult in the West Region,” McNeil said. “I enjoy playing a tough schedule because it prepares us for postseason play. It also allows us to play against other regions.”
The other returning upperclassmen for the Hilltoppers include seniors Taylor Dillingham and Jessica Tamen, as well as junior Brianna Vogel. Tamen hopes for a return to form; she was the Hilltoppers’ top player at the start of her freshman season but missed the remainder of the season due to an injury. Both Dillingham and Vogel have seen action every year they have competed at St. Edward’s.
“I am excited to see what this season brings,” McNeil said. “We have a good core group of players and a solid schedule, so we should be prepared for a fantastic year.”
“After losing a strong player like Haught, you have to find players to fill that gap,” said McNeil. “We need to draw strength from our returners to continue the success that we have been able to maintain over the last handful of seasons.” The Hilltoppers add freshmen Ana Sofia Benavides (Mexico City, Mexico) and Bailey Dickerson (El Paso, Texas), along with junior transfer Shannelle Tafoya (Adams State). Benavides was a member of the Mexico Olympic Golf Team in 2013 and 2014, and Dickerson was first-team all-district performer all four years of high school. “All three newcomers possess different skill sets,” McNeil said. “Tafoya already has collegiate experience, while Benavides and Dickerson had outstanding junior careers. I expect all three to push for a spot in the lineup.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
Learn more about Hilltopper women's golf at: GoHilltoppers.com
