Shorter golf: Lady Hawks snag No. 2 ranking in NAIA

Shorter golf: Lady Hawks snag No

Shorter golf: Lady Hawks snag No. 2 ranking in NAIA

With five top-five finishes in six events to close out the 2010 season and a 17th place finish in the 2010 NAIA Women's Golf National Championship, the Shorter University women's golf team gave the nation something to think about.

With a run of five top-two finishes in this fall's preseason schedule - including three tournament victories - the Lady Hawks gave the nation no choice but to take notice and reward their efforts.( Nike Victory Red Tour Driver )

Shorter will possess an inside track to a return trip to the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship as it enters the 2011 season ranked No. 2 in the country according to the 2011 NAIA Women's Golf Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll released Friday.

The initial ranking is the highest ever for the Lady Hawks, who are not only a clear cut favorite to win the Southern States Athletic Conference title, but also to challenge for the program's first national championship.

That championship form was on display the last week in October, when the Lady Hawks, who finished the 2010 season ranked No. 21 in the country, closed out the fall campaign with a victory at the NAIA Women's Preview, a tournament that featured five other teams that concluded the 2010 season ranked in the Top 25.

Shorter freshman Lisa Persson won medalist honors at the NAIA Preview by two strokes, capping a tremendous fall season during which she teamed up with sophomore teammate and 2010 NAIA All-American Greta Lange to set the tone for what promises to be a historic season on the links. (Nike Victory Red Tour Driver )

Lange was lights out all fall with five top 10 finishes in five events, a run that included three runner-up finishes and the individual title at the Chick-fil-A Collegiate hosted by Berry College. Lange finished eighth at the NAIA Preview.

"Lisa won the NAIA Preview and Greta has continued her outstanding play," said Shorter head coach Greg Owens.

Owens was also quick to point out the contributions of the remainder of his young team, individuals who will hold the key to just how far the Lady Hawks go in 2011. Each player showed glimpses of brilliance throughout the fall and were outstanding in support of Lange and Persson.

"Gabriella Murcia out of Colombia is the straightest on the team from tee to green and Ivey Mischel from Evans already has a top 10 in only her third year playing golf," said Owens. "Junior Petra Muller rounded into form by shooting in the 70's twice to help us win the preview tournament and Caitlyn Cook from Bluffton, S.C., and Brittney Watkins from Hokes Bluff, Ala., are both contending for first team."

Owens acknowledged the contributions of assistant coach J.T. Clendenin, a former star at NCAA Division I University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, who has made a huge impact on the preparation and condition of the Lady Hawks.

"J.T. has worked with the women during workouts and practice," Owens said. "His leadership in preparing the team has improved their confidence. Our first year players have performed well under tournament pressure."

The Lady Hawks are sure to face added tournament pressure as the season progresses, with the ultimate goal of a national championship serving as a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

Owens has confidence that his ladies will answer the call.

"All of the members of the women's team are outstanding students," said Owens. "If they continue to support each other in workouts and during practice, we could make some waves at the national championships."

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