2022 high school girls golf preview

Garaway High School's Sammi MIller competes during Division II Girls District Golf competition at Cambridge Country Club last season.
Garaway High School's Sammi MIller competes during Division II Girls District Golf competition at Cambridge Country Club last season.

(Editor's note: This is the first in a series previewing area high school fall sports. Only information from coaches who returned questionnaires are included.)

GARAWAY

Head coach: Angie Miller, 5th year.

Last season's record/finish: 6th place at the state tournament, 1st at the district, 2nd at the sectional, 21-1 for the Inter-Valley Conference championship, 125-26 overall.

Returning letterwinners: Junior Sammi Miller; junior Sydni Prysi; junior Brooklyn Numbers; junior Hannah Steiner; junior Olivia Immel; sophomore Cameryn Ianniello.

Top newcomers: Senior Paige Hostetler; junior Aubrey Fisher; sophomore Alexus Immel; freshman Audrey Immel; freshman Sara Weaver.

Coach’s comments: “We are so excited to have our entire team back from last year,” said Miller. “We have a lot of talent as we return to the course. These ladies got a taste of success last year and now have even bigger goals for this coming year. They have all worked really hard in the off season practicing and playing in various tournaments to prepare themselves for the upcoming season.

“The state qualifiers, Sammi Miller, Sydni Prysi, Brooklyn Numbers, Olivia Immel, and Hannah Steiner have planted a seed in our younger girls and the drive to achieve keeps building. The internal competition amongst these friends has been a major contributor to our success over the years and has given these girls the confidence needed to match up against anyone. We are looking forward to a few challenging matches this season to prepare us for tournament time. Experience and confidence will be the keys to achieving this year’s goal. This team has the talent to do it.”

DOVER

Co-head coaches: Benj Miller and Steve Spradling, 2md year.

Last season’s record/finish: Overall match record 7-6 (5-5 league), tournament record of 40-33, sectional runner-up, district qualifier.

Returning letterwinners: Senior Riley Schie; senior Izzy Lint; junior Kiley McIntosh; sophomore Mya Downing  sophomore Sara Klar/

Top newcomers: Senior Piper Olson; freshman Tatum Tylke; freshman Emma Dessecker.

Coach’s comments: “Our girls have been working hard throughout the offseason and have gained valuable tournament experience this summer,” said Miller and Spradling. “We are excited for the 2022 season and expect to compete for the league title and a tournament run in October.”

NEW PHILA

Head coach: Brian Migoni, 3rd year.

Last season's record/finish: 7-8.

Returning letterwinners: Senior Emma Menapace; junior Emi Cerda.

Top newcomers: Sophomore Kelly Shumaker; sophomore Olivia Jackson; sophomore Kyleigh Jones; sophomore Kiersten Creighton; freshman Sadie Compher.

Coach's comments: “First Team Eastern District and First Team Tri-County Emma Menapace returns for her senior year along with two-year letterman Emi Cerda,” said Migoni. “They will be joined by five first year golfers that are full of potential.”

CARROLLTON

Head coach: Todd English.

Last season's record/finish: 12-2 (8-2 for 2nd in the Eastern Buckeye Conference), 3rd at the district.

Returning letterwinners: Junior Ashlee Garner (40.7 avg, 1st team EBC, 1st team Eastern District); junior Claire Hostetler (45.4 avg. 2nd team EBC, 2nd team Eastern District); junior Paige Davis; Savannah Gallo.

Returning players and newcomers: Sophomore Katelyn Mullen; sophomore Katie Decker; freshmen Kaylee Russell, Jayda Moore, Ruby Moyer, Riley Champion, Kasee Gallo.

Coach's comments: "Ashlee Garner and Claire Hostetler will be solid golfers for us this season and we hope for improvement from Paige Davis," said English. "Senior Savannah Gallo hopes to stay healthy and have a good senior season and some of our young golfers will likely contribute early in the season and show improvement by the end of September."

CLAYMONT

Head coach: Scott Buxton, 4th year.

Last season's record/finish: 8-8 in Dual Matches / 4th place overall finish in Inter Valley Conference; Fourth place team finish IVC Preseason Tournament (412); Third place team finish IVC Postseason Tournament (385); 7th place finish (team total 425) in the sectional out of 30 schools represented (the top six teams advanced).

Returning letterwinners: Senior Alivia Edwards (1st Team Inter-Valley Conference, Division II First Team Eastern District / 3-year letterwinner); senior Meadow Duvall; senior Hailey Fellows; junior Mimi Bausch.

Top newcomers: Senior Bailey Eddleman; senior Alexia Brick; sophomore Madison Holderbaum; freshman Cambria Edwards; freshman Lorena Warren.

Coach’s comments: “We return both an experienced and talented group who truly enjoy the game and playing together,” said Buxton. “As a team they have set the goal of qualifying for the DII District Tournament and finishing in the top half of the always ultra-competitive Inter-Valley Conference. Through hard work and the willingness to get better through every round they play we hope to be playing our best golf at the end of the season.”

STRASBURG

Head coach: Brett Hershberger 1st year.

Returning letterwinners: Senior Hayley Reiger.

Top newcomers: Freshmen Micah Burkett, Mya McGhee, Olivia Spidell.

Coach’s comments: “I’m looking forward to a great season having Hayley back for her senior year and freshmen Micah, Mya and Olivia joining the team,” said Hershberger. “The girls are excited to have a team this year and will work hard to accomplish our team goals."

INDIAN VALLEY

Head coach: Kelli Carroll, 2nd year at Indian Valley (3rd overall).

Last season's record/finish: 10-4 overall, 9-4 in the Inter-Valley Conference.

Returning letterwinners: Senior Emily Jones; juniors Natalie Holbrook, Madison Alexander, Abrielle Jones.

Top newcomers: Olivia Ford.

Coach's comments: “We had a strong season last year,” said Carroll. “We lost three seniors last year so we have a younger team but looking forward to continuing the momentum into this season and hopefully the postseason, as well. We have a couple underclassmen who are eager to succeed, including Riley Positano and Olivia Ford. We are looking forward to the season with a great group of girls."

SANDY VALLEY

Head coach: Nate Provance, 4th year.

Last season's record/finish: 0-10 (only three individuals competed).

Returning letterwinners: Senior Sarah DeFord.

Top newcomers: Freshmen Ashlynn Glaser, Ava Schoeppner.

Coach's comments: “We are very excited about the upcoming year and looking to continue to grow as a team,” said Provance. “We have one returning golfer, Sarah DeFrord, who will be earning her fourth letter this year. We have a good group of girls coming up who have put in a lot of hard work this offseason.

“The IVC is one of, if not the best, small conferences in the whole state. The league has sent multiple teams and individuals to the state tournament the last few years. It is exciting to get to play at some of the best courses and against some of the best competition in the state.”

RIDGEWOOD

Head coach: Kevin Lott, 1st year.

Returning letterwinners: Senior Julia Greer; senior Jessica Thompson; sophomore Makayla Jones; sophomore Gianna Menapace.

Top newcomers: Freshman Jacey Hess; freshman Josie Stanton.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: 2022 high school girls golf preview