Youthful Women's Golf Squad Continues Improvement
2/16/2005 7:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Feb. 16, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In sports, the axiom usually is that leadership equates to experience. The players counted on to lead teams usually are the most veteran or the juniors and seniors on a squad.
For the University of Maryland women's golf team, though, the leadership for 2005 will come from a pair of experienced sophomores who are poised to help the program continue to achieve and progress in its sixth season of existence.
Kate Stepanek and Jessica Reno both bring a wealth of talent and outstanding freshmen seasons to the top of the Terrapins' lineup for the spring.
"We're strong at the top," said head coach Jason Rodenhaver, the only coach the Terps have had in the existence of the program. "Our No. 1 and No. 2 have really stepped up their game from last year.
"Last year, they were freshmen. All of a sudden, with Kristen (McCurdy) getting hurt, they've gone from being freshmen into a leadership role. They've embraced that. Right now, we've got two legitimate All-ACC players at the top."
McCurdy had been a three-year starter for the Terps, but suffered a knee injury prior to the Fall 2004 season. That has left the door open for the talented sophomores at the top of the lineup.
Stepanek posted a first- and second-place individual finish for the Terps in the fall, winning the Lady Jaguar Invitational in Augusta, Ga., in early November. She also had three straight 1-under-par 71s to place second at the Taco Bell Intercollegiate in mid-October. Stepanek also finished second on the team last year in scoring average to graduated-senior Marie Harper.
"Kate is strong, she hits the ball a long way," said Rodenhaver. "She's also worked very hard on her short game and her wedge game. Now, she's in position to make birdies. One thing I notice about her now is that if she misses a green, she's getting the ball up and down for a par, not making bogeys or wasting shots."
Reno won the Delaware Women's Amateur Championship last summer and continued her strong play during the Fall 2004 season. She posted a pair of top-20 finishes and was second to Stepanek in scoring average at 77.8 strokes per round. She was third on the team in scoring average during the Spring 2004 season.
"She's a good player, she was recruited by some big-time schools," said Rodenhaver. "I knew she could play, but she's been pretty consistent the last three tournaments. I think it's going to help that Kate won, so hopefully she can get caught up in what Kate did. It's a pretty good 1-2 punch."
Behind those two, the competition for spots in the lineup is expected to be impressive. The injury to McCurdy opened the door for a pair of freshmen - Kelly Calkin and Katie Trotter - to get some crucial playing experience in the fall.
"I knew both of them could play," said Rodenhaver. "I'm happy to see Kelly play well. She's a little bit farther along than I thought she would be."
Calkin, from St. Charles, Ill., had a top-20 finish at the Lady Jaguar Invitational in the final fall event, which was won by the Terps. Of the 14 rounds played by Maryland during Fall 2004, Calkin's score counted in the team score 13 times.
Trotter, a newcomer from Pittsburgh, Pa., was strong at times during her early collegiate performances and helped the Terps to a strong early showing.
"Katie has played well at times and has struggled at times, but that's only natural being a freshman," said Rodenhaver. "Kristen getting hurt allowed both of them to get in the lineup. Their getting experience could be a blessing for us down the road."
The fifth spot during the fall was filled by sophomore Kelly MacWhinnie, taking over what Rodenhaver calls a crucial role in the team's success.
"Top to bottom, we're better," said the coach. "We're definitely stronger up top, but also throughout the lineup. You win or lose tournaments in the fifth spot, and Kelly MacWhinnie came in and helped us win the golf tournament (Lady Jaguar)."
Fighting for that fifth spot will be transfer Sarah O'Neill, a sophomore who came to Maryland after a season at the University of Richmond. Katie Elliott is the lone senior on the roster, while junior Lauren Yamada and sophomore Maggie Trainor will also push for playing time.
Overall, Rodenhaver is continuing to see progress in both the tough Atlantic Coast Conference and in seeking a potential berth in the NCAA Tournament.
"We're in our sixth year and we're kind of into a new era," he said. "I think the players we have in the different classes are better than the freshmen or sophomores I had years ago."
Players Mentioned
