Horned Frogs look to capitalize on experience this spring
1/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Jan. 31, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The TCU women's golf team will look to continue the momentum from a strong close to a fall season that was highlighted by a 21-stroke victory at Kansas State's Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational.Horned Frog coach Angie Ravaioli-Larkin, set to begin her 12th season, is excited about the upcoming campaign.
"We've had a good off-season with everyone accomplishing their goals," she said. "We're also coming off a positive retreat and team building atmosphere that we created in January. I think that has really boosted us going into our spring season and defined some of our roles and goals and what we need to do to achieve greatness in the spring.
"Everyone has really set some high spring goals for themselves."
TCU closed the fall season ranked eighth nationally in total short game. The Frogs were fourth, one spot ahead of No. 1 Duke, in non-sand up and downs.
Beginning with the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan (Feb. 21-23), TCU will face a strong 2006 schedule.
"The majority of our tough schedule is ahead of us," Ravaioli-Larkin said. "That's good because it comes against teams we need to see and beat in order to improve our standing in the national rankings."
Although there's just one senior (Traci Robison) on the roster, TCU returns an experienced squad that features a strong core of four juniors.
"The last couple of years, we've fallen into the trap of giving ourselves an excuse that we're young," Ravaioli-Larkin said. "We were able to play our freshmen and sophomores week in and week out, and now our junior class has a lot of experience."
Camille Blackerby, a junior from Breckenridge, Texas, topped the Frogs with a 74.3 stroke average in the fall. Her season was highlighted by a pair of top-five finishes, including a second-place effort at the Lady Paladin Invitational.
A two-time All-Conference and Academic All-American, Blackerby is now poised to win and take the next step in her career.
Fellow juniors Elin Emanuelsson and Catherine Matranga tied for second on the team with 75.2 stroke averages in the fall.
Matranga also tied for the national lead with three eagles. Her second-round 68 at the Marilynn Smith Invitational was the low round by a Frog in the fall and was just one stroke behind tying a TCU career record.
A local player from Fort Worth, Matranga is hitting the ball higher which should contribute to consistent lower rounds. Always a strong putter, she now has the confidence needed to win a tournament.
Emanuelsson hails from Nacka, Sweden. A very sound player technically and physically, she's another member of the junior class on the verge of winning.
Emanuelsson carded an opening-round 69 en route to a seventh-place finish at the Marilynn Smith Invitational.
Rounding out the junior class is Stacey Bieber from Winnipeg, Canada.
Bieber worked extremely hard on her wedges this off-season. With her increased knowledge of how to play the game, she's put herself into position to win as well. Bieber competed in four of the five fall tournaments with her best showing being a tie for fourth at the Marilynn Smith Invitational.
Traci Robison (Arlington, Texas), the lone senior on the TCU roster, has worked extremely hard on her putting and the improvement should be seen this spring. She's posted two Top 20 finishes in her career.
Carrie Morris, who played in all five fall tournaments, headlines the sophomore class. The Tyler, Texas, native had a pair of 73s in tying for 10th at the Marilynn Smith Invitational. She closed the fall with a 78.6 stroke average.
Arguably the hardest worker in Ravaioli-Larkin's tenure with the Frogs, Morris has tremendous focus at practice. She's gotten longer in her ball striking while increasing her strength both physically and mentally.
Elisa Gomez, a member of last year's Conference USA All-Freshman team, will push for a spot in the Frogs' top five this spring.
Gomez, who hails from Carrollton, Texas, is very talented and has worked hard on her swing. She recorded an 80.5 stroke average while competing in seven tournaments and 19 rounds last season.
Sophomore Megan Sakamoto, from Aiea, Hawaii, has shown vast improvement in all aspects of her game, especially her swing and putting stroke. She could be a surprise this spring.
Angela Akins battled injuries as a freshman last year. Now healthy, her increased strength has improved her game. The Horsheshoe, Texas, native has been hitting the ball better than ever.
True freshman Kaylin Isler (Southlake, Texas) competed in the fall's opening tournament when the Frogs played at the Dick McGuire Invitational. She has tremendous talent with a very strong work ethic and desire to succeed.
Kelli Montigel (Fort Worth, Texas) and Casey Senter (Aledo, Texas) round out the freshman class. Both will add depth to the Frogs and compete for playing time.
Ravaioli-Larkin believes her 2006 squad heads into its challenging spring slate with the proper mentality to succeed. With a strong short game and a seasoned core group of veterans, the Frogs appear primed for another postseason trip and a run at a national championship.
Players Mentioned
