TCU women's golf enters 2007 with confidence and momentum
1/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Jan. 17, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas -- With a strong core of returning players that includes four seniors and an impressive class of newcomers, the TCU women's golf team enters the 2007 campaign with confidence and momentum.Under head coach Angie Ravaioli-Larkin, the Horned Frogs will be looking for their 12th consecutive NCAA postseason appearance.
The blend of experience and youth, combined with TCU trademarks of an outstanding short game and excellent putting, has Ravaioli-Larkin optimistic for the spring.
"Our underclassmen have really added a lot of depth to our program while also pushing our seniors which will make us stronger as a team," Ravaioli-Larkin said. "We had a good effort in the fall, and I expect to have an even better showing in the spring."
TCU's senior class includes a quartet of experienced players in Stacey Bieber, Camille Blackerby, Catherine Matranga and Elin Emanuelsson.
Matranga earned Mid-Season All-America honors from Golf World in addition to being named the nation's Most Improved Player. She was named September's Mountain West Conference Player of the Month after capturing medalist honors at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational.
A native of Fort Worth, Matranga closed the fall with a 72.9 stroke average to place second in the Mountain West Conference. She enters the spring with a No. 38 individual ranking from Golfweek.
Matranga, a true competitor on the course, will look to become TCU's next All-American.
Blackerby and Bieber are both three-time Academic All-Americans.
A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Bieber is naturally talented and driven to succeed. She played in eight tournaments last season and three this fall. Bieber has a great work ethic and has been an outstanding representative of the women's golf program, including serving on TCU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Blackerby is one of the leaders of the Frogs. The Breckenridge, Texas, native had a team-best 75.3 stroke average last season to top TCU and rank seventh in the MWC. She posted the Frogs' top score in three spring tournaments and top-25 finishes on five occasions.
The TCU coaching staff has high expectations for Blackerby in her final semester of competition. In addition to the consistent play and leadership that define her TCU career, Blackerby's personality adds an element of fun for the players and coaches.
Emanuelsson, from Nacka, Sweden, was last year's team Most Valuable Player. The top athlete on the Frogs, she is physically fit and really pushes herself hard in the weight room and at practice. Also possessing strong leadership skills, Emanuelsson is primed for an outstanding spring season.
Emanuelsson had a 76.6 stroke average last season with a second-place finish at the 2006 Texas A&M "Mo"Morial.
Carrie Morris and Elisa Gomez represent the Frogs' junior class.
Morris (Tyler, Texas) played in all 11 tournaments last year and received TCU's Leap Frog and Golden Putter awards. Gomez (Carrollton, Texas) participated in two spring events.
Morris is the team's hardest worker who focuses extremely well with drills at practice.
Gomez is very talented, coachable and one of the top characters on the team, especially during early-morning workouts.
Kelli Montigel is the Frogs' lone sophomore and the daughter of TCU men's golf coach Bill Montigel. The younger Montigel is an up-and-coming player who has shown tremendous improvement in the weight room and on the golf course. She brings a lot of positive energy to the Frogs.
Megan O'Donnell and Ashley Watkins are a pair of freshmen who were pleasant surprises in the fall with the immediate impact they made for the Frogs.
O'Donnell, a southpaw from Houston, played in two tournaments during the fall. She made her collegiate debut with a tie for 36th at the Jeannine McHaney Intercollegiate before posting TCU's third-best score at the Las Vegas Founders Collegiate Showdown.
O'Donnell is extremely talented with a bright future. She hits the ball well with a solid all-around game.
Watkins played in four fall tournaments. Her top finish came in her final event, when she finished second on the team and in a tie for 21st overall with a collegiate career-best 227 at the Aloha Purdue Collegiate. Included in that total was a career-low 72 over the final 18 holes.
A native of Sealy, Texas, Watkins is a great ball striker who has shown tremendous improvement with her short game. She will be expected to make a major impact this spring.
Valentine Derrey, who arrived on campus in January, completes the Frogs' freshman class. A native of Paris, France, Derrey had a tremendous junior career that included playing on the French National Team. She has a great understanding of team golf and is very passionate about winning.
Christina Schams comes to TCU from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College where she was the medalist in six tournaments last spring. She previously played at the University of Nevada. Schams will redshirt this spring. During that time, she will push her new teammates in practice while also working hard on improving her game. The Chandler, Ariz., native will look to make a contribution in the years to come.
Ravaioli-Larkin, in her 13th year at TCU, making her the Frogs' third-most tenured head coach, and fifth-year assistant coach Nicole Harris have continued a tradition with a challenging schedule that includes travel to locales such as Las Vegas, Hawaii, San Juan and Florida.
"Our schedule will compete with anyone in the country as far as the caliber of our opponents and the places we are fortunate to visit," Ravaioli-Larkin said. "We play in all parts of the country and on all types of courses, which prepares our players for conference, regional and national championships as well as the tour."
Players Mentioned
