TicketsMay 24, 2011
By Rachel Hundley
GoBEARCATS.com
With the 2010-11 season, which featured a third place finish at the UC Fall Classic and a fourth place finish at the Hall of Fame Classic, now in the books for the University of Cincinnati women's golf team, head coach Janet Carl already has her sights set on next season and beyond, and according to her, she has good reasons to be encouraged.
"I think this season really gives us a lot of hope for the future. We have four returning players for the next two years, which really gives us a deep base on the team for next year," Carl said. "I feel like this was actually one of our best seasons ever, although our finish at the BIG EAST Championship doesn't make it feel that way."
Carl's squad stumbled to a seventh place finish at the BIG EAST Championship this season in Palm Harbor, Fla. The Bearcats were led by 2010 All-BIG EAST golfer senior Jenny Linville, who fired rounds of 80-75-79=234 to finish in a tie for 12th. Despite their late season struggles, Carl was still pleased with individual performances over the course of the year.
"Olivia Dose finished number two on the team in scoring as a freshman this year. She set two personal scoring records this season, so that individual performance definitely stands out," Carl said. "Bambee Dela Paz played well for us the entire year, with the exception of the BIG EAST Championship. She was still our team leader this season."
Despite a disappointing 31st place finish at the conference tournament, senior Bambee Dela Paz earned her second straight All-BIG EAST honor and led the Bearcats in scoring average, posting a 76.9 per round score. She won her third career individual medalist honor with a first-place finish at the UC Fall Invitational in September and posted three top-10 finishes this season.
Carl admitted the Bearcats will greatly miss Dela Paz next season, as well as fellow senior Linville.
"We're losing Bambee, who was our leading scorer for the past four years. We're also losing Jenny Linville, though," Carl said. "Jenny brought one of the strongest work ethics I've ever seen. That work ethic is what helped her be our top finisher at the BIG EAST Championship the past two years."
Even though the Bearcats will be losing two of their most experienced and most successful golfers, Carl sees a promising future in the young squad that will be taking the course next season, and she already has expectations for the group.
"Next season we'll be leaning heavily on Olivia Dose, Andrea Malek, Alex Carl and Sage Roth," Carl said. "I expect us to play better overall next season. This past year we improved 2.2 shots per round from the year before. I hope to see four shots per round from this group next season."
Carl also sees substantial leadership potential on the roster for next season. Despite losing two of their most experienced and hard working golfers, the Bearcats have several players who could fill the void left behind by Dela Paz and Linville.
"I expect Olivia to fill the leadership role, but we also have three other girls who could step up and lead as well in Andrea, Alex and Sage," Carl said. "I look at those four players being the key to success next season."