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GENERAL GENERAL FRESNO STATE WOMEN'S GOLF YOUNG 'DOGS GROWING UP 2011-12 SEASON PREVIEW The return of seven members from last year's team and the addition of a lights-out freshman puts the Bulldogs in position to make a run for the WAC title this season. With over a year of collegiate golf under their belts, the five freshmen from the 2010-11 team look to build on their experience this season and take their game to the next level. Also the return of upperclassmen Louisa Lies and Shaylee Yano and the addition of local high school standout Madchen Ly, the Bulldogs are in position to make significant strides to be successful this season. "The young team that we had last year gained a lot of experience and knowledge," head coach Angie Cates-Moore said. "We believe we will produce much more consistent numbers this year. Our newcomer will continue to push the upperclassmen to achieve their goals." The Bulldogs only graduated one member from last year's squad, Chelsea Czinski, so the consistency and cohesiveness of the team will play a major role in their success this season. It has already shown this fall as the 'Dogs took second in back-to-back events at the Rose City Collegiate and Cowgirl Desert Intercollegiate. In doing so, they have already doubled their best finish mark from last season. "The team chemistry continues to be great," Cates-Moore remarked. "They support one another and bring out the best in each other. They are an exciting team to coach and continue to push one another to reach the next level." Lies, a senior who played through a major knee injuring last spring, was named second-team All-WAC for the second year in a row. Her many accomplishments keep moving her up the list as one of the most successful women's golfers in Fresno State history. Lies has already notched two top-ten finishes this season and holds the second best scoring average on the team. "Louisa continues to be a great motivator and leader for our program," Cates-Moore said. "She has fought through a major injury and picked up right where she left off. She never once complained about her injury or let it get in her way of competing. She is a true inspiration to her teammates. During her entire college career she has been one of our finest student-athletes. She strives to be the best on the golf course and in the classroom." Yano enters her junior year coming off of a breakout sophomore season in which she was third on the team in scoring average and second in par or better. She has picked up where she left off last season by posting up solid marks during the fall to once again sit in third for scoring average. "Shaylee has emerged as one of our quiet leaders," remarked Cates- Moore. "Her final round 71 at the WAC Championship demonstrated that hard work pays off. She has a very clear understanding of the LOUISA LIES 22 2011 impact her mental game has on her results. She now possesses many of the skills she needs to take her game to the highest level." Ly has come into the program swinging and has already made an immediate impact. She leads the team in scoring average and has posted two top-five finishes, including tying for second place in only her second collegiate tournament, the Rose City Intercollegiate. "Madchen's dedication to our sport, team and university are unparalleled," Cates-Moore commented. "She's an intense competitor and continues to put herself in contention to win tournament titles. She is so solid from tee to green; she led the team in fewest putts per round this fall. The transition from high school to college has been seamless for Madchen. The next four years are going to be fun to watch." Another big contributor to this year's early success has been Krysta Clark who has been steadily improving on her first year of playing experience last season. "Krysta has become a regular in our lineup. She has done a great job at minimizing mistakes on the golf course and is starting to put up consistent numbers. She has the talent and skills to go low." A key player who has participated in every tournament this fall has been Hillary Billingsley. At the Rose City Collegiate, she played a major role in the team's success by placing in a tie for 13th. "Hillary has put some great rounds together and with a little more focus we know those rounds will be more of the norm for her. Consistency will be a key because she has the skills." Rounding out the team is Christine Uhalde, Alison Timlin and Taylor Wilkinson who are all sophomores that have worked hard during the off season to put themselves in positions to contribute to the team's success. "Christine has rededicated herself to our sport," Coach Cates-Moore said. "Her new commitment is producing great results. Aly had some great summer tournaments that will help propel her to the next level in college. She gained a lot of knowledge and experience her freshman year that will be a major benefit for her sophomore season. Taylor continues to work hard on the course and in the classroom. She has been gaining experience in the college rankings and she now has a great understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level." Coach Cates-Moore is very pleased with the development of her team and is excited to see what the spring season brings. "We are going to put in a lot of hard work during the off season to ensure we are prepared for our first spring tournament at Stanford. My intention will be to make practice much more difficult than the tournaments. Each tournament will prepare us for the next. We have a great spring schedule and will need to be prepared to play our best each week. " 2012 MADCHEN LY 23