Duneland Athletic Conference
CHESTERTON
Players to watch: Kelly Grassel, Jr.; Marissa Kroeger, Jr.; Stephanie Drake, Sr.
Outlook: With eight returning varsity players, the Trojans have plenty of experience and high expectations entering the season. Grassel is one of the top golfers in the area, but her teammates are no slouches either.
Quote: "Our kids worked hard in the offseason and are very confident. We're looking forward to a good year." -- coach Dale Hewitt
CROWN POINT
Players to watch: Christina Hall, Sr.; Kaylie Slosson, Sr.; Lucia Bracco, Jr.; Zoie Matthews, Jr.
Outlook: New coach Jon Haas takes over for the departed Mike Cronkhite. Crown Point's girls have played well in many summer tournaments and should be expected to be one of the top teams in the region.
Quote: "I expect a solid season this year in the DAC. By the time sectionals roll around, I think we will be ready to put up a solid title defense." -- Haas
LAKE CENTRAL
Players to watch: Jamie Hintz, Jr.; Kiana Jongsma, So.; Tori Balicki, Sr.; Megan Falat, Sr.; Kylie Shoemach, Fr.
Outlook: Scores have improved solidly and consistently from each player, and a top three DAC finish is feasible.
Quote: "A few girls have really stepped up to the plate and set a precedent for offseason workouts." -- coach Chris Rossiano
LAPORTE
Players to watch: Taylor Thompson, So.; Delanie Alcorn, So.
Outlook: Coach Mark Wilson doesn't have any seniors on his squad, but with Thompson and Alcorn coming back for the second year, Wilson is confident the sophomores will provide the necessary leadership to be successful.
Quote: "If you graduate a bunch of seniors the year before, than you worry about leadership. We only had one last season and our returning girls have all played the courses. They know what is expected of them." -- coach Wilson
MERRILLVILLE
Outlook: The Pirates shot a 434 at last season's Bishop Noll Sectional, good for fifth place. Merrillville will look to break into the top three and advance to the LaPorte Regional.
MICHIGAN CITY
Players to watch: Paige Mellen, Sr.
Outlook: Much like last season, Mellen played a considerable amount on the NIJGA tour this summer and the senior brings back a wealth of experience for coach Kathy Gushrowski's squad.
PORTAGE
Players to watch: Kenzie Barcelli, Jr.; Lauren Murray, Jr.; Jessica Morris, Sr.
Outlook: First-year coach Bryan Tyman takes over a program that is stocked with freshmen and sophomores. Tyman is new to coaching, but expects to make great strides with the Indians over the next several years.
Quote: "The future looks very bright for Portage golf. This is a great opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to getting started." -- coach Tyman
VALPARAISO
Players to watch: Harley Dubsky, So.; Ellie Gorski, Sr.; Jennifer Gough, Fr; Brooke Fullenkamp, Fr.
Outlook: The Vikings add more youthful talent this season with the additions of Gough and Fullenkamp, but the depth took a hit when junior Susan Friedlander moved to Indianapolis this summer. Dubsky returns as one of the top two golfers in the area.
Quote: "Losing Susan hurts a bit, but we're still going to be very solid. We're looking to compete for the conference, sectional, regional and hopefully a trip down to state." -- coach Bill Miller
Greater South Shore Conference
BISHOP NOLL
Outlook: The Warriors finished eighth at their own sectional last season, so improving upon that should be a priority.
NORTH NEWTON
Outlook: The Spartans hope to rebound from last season's eighth place finish in the Kankakee Valley Sectional.
WHEELER
Players to watch: Tijana Raketic, Sr.; Sarah Becker, Sr.; Alexx Sanchez, Jr.; Erin Mitten, Jr.
Outlook: Wheeler coach Mark Becker has seen his numbers explode over the past several years and should have 12 golfers on the roster this season. The competition for course time will only aid the Bearcats as the team is looking at improving throughout the year.
Quote: "Right now the field is kind of open as to who will be playing. This is going to be a growing and developing year. I'm pleased to see how we're developing so far." -- coach Becker
Great Lakes Athletic Conference
CLARK
Players to watch: Maria Caberlas, Sr.; Karina Alcala, Sr.; Colleen Cassody, So.; Irma Hernandez, So.; Sarahi Oroczo, So.
Outlook: Clark has a mix of youth and experience, as the seniors have played for all four years. Caberlas has a goal of going to regional in her final year.
Quote: "The girls practice hard and are learning the game very well." -- coach Randy Chavez
GAVIT
Outlook: Gavit finished last at the Bishop Noll Sectional last season among teams who had enough players to place. The Gladiators expect to improve upon that.
Northwest Crossroads Conference
ANDREAN
Outlook: Andrean didn't field a whole team last season, so they were unable to place at the Bishop Noll Sectional. Individually, the 59ers lost a solid golfer to graduation in Katie Derek.
GRIFFITH
Players to watch: Rachel Solar, Sr.; Ann Ficht, Jr.; Christy Anzur, So.; Kathryn Baum, So.
Outlook: The Panthers have room for improvement after finishing sixth in the Bishop Noll Sectional at Lost Marsh last season. Griffith will field a team mixed with experienced upperclassmen and youth.
Quote: "(We have) a larger amount of girls wanting to get better and working at getting better." -- coach Mike Worosz
HIGHLAND
Players to watch: Allison Banasiak, Sr.
Outlook: Highland lost arguably the best female golfer in school history when Brianne Torrenga graduated after last season. Banasiak will likely step in as the No. 1 to provide both low scores and good leadership.
Quote: "We're trying to just fill the void left by Brianne. I'm cautiously optimistic." -- coach Tom Brankin
HOBART
Players to watch: Allison Smith, Sr.; Aimee Pope, Jr.; Marina Tipold, Sr.
Outlook: Hobart expects to be a little more competitive this season with a strong core back. The Brickies finished second at last season's NCC meet, so the potential is there.
Quote: "I know I've seen a lot of work out of them. They've been practicing out of season." -- coach Matt Frankowski
KANKAKEE VALLEY
Players to watch: Madison Wireman, So.; Bethany Jansma, So.; Emily Tucker, Jr.; Tara Berry, Fr.; Syd Robinson, Sr.
Outlook: The Kougars could be a force to be reckoned with in the future, but this year should be used to gain more experience. K.V. is expecting some growing pains, but a decent finish as the season rolls along.
Quote: "The team is very young and inexperienced, but very hard working and dedicated." -- coach Ron Stanton
LOWELL
Outlook: The Red Devils lost their entire top four to graduation last season, so this will likely be a rebuilding year. Boys golf coach John Harris will take the reins from John Becker this season.
MUNSTER
Players to watch: Sarah Kinser, Sr.; Hailey Estes, Jr.
Outlook: By Munster standards, this could be a bit of a rebuilding year. Kinser and Estes are the returning experienced varsity players and will be looked upon to help bring along a squad of six freshmen newcomers.
Quote: "It's encouraging to see some of the young talent we have out there." -- coach Bill Smitka
Porter County Conference
HANOVER CENTRAL
Players to watch: Hannah Green, Jr.; Jamie Frost, Jr.; Elizabeth Price, Jr.; Allison Kubiak, Jr.
Outlook: The Wildcats will start their season with four 18-hole matches, so they'll know right away what they can do this season. Many of the girls have been playing in the NIJGA for two summers now, so there is reason for optimism.
Quote: "They've got a little fire on their minds. They want to advance out of sectionals." -- coach Jerry Kienzle
Others
BOONE GROVE
Players to watch: Elizabeth Buth, Sr.
Outlook: Coach Bob Lukas takes over a program that is in the midst of rebuilding. Buth brings experience as one of the top upperclassmen on the roster.
RENSSELAER
Outlook: The Bombers finished second in last season's Kankakee Valley Sectional and advance to the LaPorte Regional. They'll hope to repeat that performance this season.
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