Southern Illinoise University Athletics
2002-03 Women's Golf Season Outlook
09/06/2002 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
Sept. 6, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's golf team will be centered around some new faces this season as it sets to begin its 2003 campaign. Despite losing 2002 NCAA Central Regional participant Alison Hiller to graduation, the young and talented Salukis enter this season with the hopes of winning their third Missouri Valley Conference title in six years.
A unanimous choice to win the Valley's coveted crown last season, SIU fell to its second straight fifth-place finish at the MVC Championships. Despite the back-to-back showings, head coach Diane Daugherty is confident her Salukis can break the spell.
"The last two years I feel like we have been snake-bitten," said Daugherty. "However, looking at this year's team, I think some days we'll play really well and some days we'll play really young. I'm optimistic about this year and I know we have the ability to get back to the top of the MVC."
One thing is for certain in that SIU will be extremely young this season. Sporting three golfers who have yet to see action at the collegiate level, the Salukis could be a little rusty from the get-go. But with the guidance of seven veterans, there shouldn't be too much to be concerned about.
Paving the way for the Salukis this year will be senior Jennifer Shutt (Springfield, Ill.) and junior Megan Tarrolly (Mequon, Wis.) who will battle for the team's number one position.
Shutt, an all-Missouri Valley Conference and all-MVC Scholar-Athlete pick a year ago, was SIU's second-leading golfer with a stroke average of 79.3. Competing in each of the Salukis' 10 tournaments, Shutt also recorded a total of 13 rounds in the 70s. In addition, she was named co-captain of this year's team.
Like Shutt, Tarrolly brings a lot of experience to this year's squad after registering a 80.8 stroke average over 25 rounds last season. Also seeing action in every tournament, Tarrolly posted eight rounds in the 70s, including a season-low of 74.
Taking over the Salukis' three and four positions will be sophomore Tiffany Fritsche (Willisville, Ill.) and junior Stefanie Pate (Carbondale, Ill.). Fritsche, who was redshirted last season, is expected to make a big impact on this year's team, while Pate saw limited action playing in just three tournaments.
Freshman Abbigail Johnson (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) and junior Amy Rankin (Decatur, Ill.) are then likely to occupy the five and six spots. Johnson, who joins the Salukis from Lincoln High School where she finished fourth in the state, has the potential to be a major threat in the MVC this season.
Meanwhile, Rankin boasted a 84.1 stroke average over 20 rounds. She also clubbed two rounds in the 70s, including a season-best 77 at the Hawaii Invitational (10/30-31).
Rounding out this year's squad are senior Ashley Welch (Carmel, Ind.), junior Sara Pate (Carbondale, Ill.) and freshman Natalie Parker (Elberfeld, Ind.).
Welch, also a captain, was redshirted last season and is expected to be a solid asset to this year's team. Pate has greatly improved and will look to break into a travelling position. Lastly, Parker is strong and can drive the ball a long way. She joins the Maroon and White after a solid prep career at Elberfeld High School.
"I'm really excited about this year," concluded Daugherty. "We have great chemistry and these young ladies have worked hard to help this team be successful."
