Coach: Scott Enrico (head coach)
Top Returning Players: Oliviah Chavez (11), Angelina Jeong (11), Taylor Kim (12), Lauren Lee (12), Yurang Li (12), Jaelyn Yeon (10)
Top Newcomer: Jimin Nam (9)
Last Season: The Lady Lancers placed eighth in the CIF Division 1 team championships and tied for first place with Troy High School in the Freeway League, ending with a 9-1 overall record. Even though they are co-champs, it was the first time in school history that the Lady Lancers took home a Freeway League title, Enrico said.
Outlook: Besides aiming to repeat as league champions, the team looks forward to playing against rival Troy High School and seeing whether the girls can separate themselves from the Warriors at the end of the season.
“They are our biggest competition in the league,” Enrico said. “More than likely, whoever wins [the matches] will be the Freeway League champions.”
Although one of the Lady Lancers’ former top players, Kelsey Kim, graduated last season, the coach said he believes his returners and one newcomer can keep them in contention for a league title and a deep run in CIF playoffs.
“Losing Kelsey Kim to graduation is a big hit to the team, but five of our starting six have been playing together for a long time now, and they love each other,” Enrico said. “They also have a lot of experience in tournament play.”
Senior Katrice Yee, who is a captain for the team along with Li and Jeong, said she intends to maintain a welcoming environment and form strong connections with any new teammates.
“I hope to get to know every member of the team and be a positive role model for the underclassmen,” she said. “I plan to continue fostering the warm environment through team bonding activities and team practices.”
The captain said the Lady Lancers will need to develop the mental aspect of the game as well.
“Golf is a mental sport, so if we make an effort to grow closer together and uplift one another when we aren’t playing our best, we will definitely do and feel better with that positive mindset,” Yee said.
After losing in an away game at California Country Club against Walnut High School during their first preseason match Tuesday, Aug. 22, the Lady Lancers bounced back to defeat Cerritos High School twice – the first time on Monday, Aug. 24, at La Mirada Golf Course and the second time on Thursday, Aug. 31.
The girls golf team was supposed to play Walnut High School again for a home game at La Mirada High School on Tuesday, Aug. 29, but the Walnut Valley Unified School District ordered an excessive heat warning which canceled the match.
The Lady Lancers then faced Valencia High School at Alta Vista Country Club in Placentia on Tuesday, Sept. 5 – 193-244 – and Thursday, Sept. 7 – 193-235.
“We did well besides the one loss to Walnut and posted some really good scores after that match,” Enrico said. “You could tell, though, who had and who hadn’t practiced in the summer.”
The team (4-1) will play its first Freeway League match on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. at the La Mirada Golf Course against Sonora High School, which did not compete in any non-league matches.
