Women's golf places 11th at Fall Preview

Last season, the North Carolina Women’s golf team won the NCAA Fall Preview.

This year they finished 11th out of 15 teams.

But when coach Jan Mann was asked how this edition of her team compares with last year’s squad, the UNC coach of five years didn’t hesitate.

“I think they’re just as strong,” Mann said. “If not stronger.”

UNC returns four out of five starters from last year’s team, which was ranked No. 11 in the nation before it surprisingly failed to qualify for the NCAA Championship in the spring.

Though last year’s top performer Casey Grice is now competing on the LPGA Tour, Mann said this year’s group has the potential to contend again this season.

The No. 15 Tar Heels flashed some of that potential during the three-day event in Tulsa, Okla., ultimately won by No. 1 Southern California.

UNC’s top performance came from sophomore Elizabeth Mallett, who shot a final round 69, 1-under par to finish 17th in the 75-player field. Mallett said UNC’s first tournament of the season gives the Tar Heels something to build on.

“I didn’t feel as though we played poorly at all. This is just the first tournament, so we’ll improve,” she said.

“The more you play, and the more tournaments we’re apart of, we’ll get better. I really think we’re in a good position for this season.”

Another reason for optimism was the play of Leslie Cloots, a freshman from Belgium, who was participating in her first collegiate tournament.

Cloots finished with UNC’s highest overall tally, but put together the best second-round of any of her teammates with a 2-over-par 72, giving Mann and her older teammates a glimpse of what she is capable of.

Fellow underclassman Samantha Marks finished second overall for the Tar Heels, and she, along with Cloots and Mallett, form a strong young core of talent that will be expected to contribute immensely this season.

“We have a pretty young team,” senior Jackie Chang said.

“It was good to see them play out there and really hold their own.”

The three underclassmen — combined with two seniors Chang and Katherine Perry — give Mann a deep and balanced team, something she said is an improvement from a year ago.

“One of the things that is really good about this team is we have five players that can shoot scores and be one of the four (players) that counts,” Mann said.

“Last year we were a little weak in that fifth spot, and I feel like we’re much stronger there this year.”

One thing that hasn’t changed from last year is the team’s chemistry and ability to have fun with one another, something Chang said she is most looking forward to this season.

“I’m most excited about building relationships with my teammates,” she said.

“Just having one last year to have a great time.”

sports@dailytarheel.com