University of North Texas Athletics
Women's Golf Looking to Take Next Step
9/6/2018 9:30:00 AM | Women's Golf
Three key players return in seniors Sol Lee, Sabina Pena and junior Lauren Cox. The trio played a major role in the marked improvement of the Mean Green during the 2017-18 season. North Texas continued to rise in the national rankings (finishing at 109, according to GolfStat), up from 201, which is how they finished the season prior to Akers' arrival. Complete buy-in helped in the culture change, with Lee, Pena and Cox leading the charge.
The Mean Green performed very well at the Conference USA Championships. Cox and Pena each finished on the all-tournament team, while Cox earned second-team all-conference honors. North Texas climbed all the way to a fourth place finish in the conference tournament, a far cry from Akers' first in charge when North Texas finished 10th.
"I am very excited for our season to begin," head coach Michael Akers said. "Honestly after our final round at Conference in April I was ready to go. We have three very solid returners that have worked hard over the summer and our set to lead us to the next level. Lauren played in many events over the summer and played very well. Sabina really worked hard on her golf swing and is hitting the ball great. Sol has dedicated herself to a better attitude and improvements with nutrition."
In addition to the three key returners, Akers has added some much-needed depth with a very talented quartet of newcomers. Last season, due to injury, the Mean Green only had five able players, which rendered qualifying to play in the tournaments a formality. Players jockeyed for position within the lineup, but the five were the five, each week. Kentucky transfer Claire Cameron joins the Mean Green this season, as do a pair of talented freshmen, Patty Sinolungan and Audrey Tan. Sophomore Madison Lewis also joins the program ahead of this season, looking to compete for a spot in the lineup."I am very pleased with the newcomers," Akers continued. "Patty certainly is an impact player. She has shown the ability to go low during qualifying rounds and I expect her to help us tremendously throughout the season. Audrey and Claire are both very steady players. They do not get into trouble and both posses extremely good short games and Madison has shown the ability to also compete as well. The bottom line is where are a very deep team and there will be competition to travel."
Akers also added a key component to the program's anticipated success, a new graduate assistant coach in former professional Krista Puisite. The former Texas State golfer who played for Akers collegiately in San Marcos, is expected to be a tremendous influence on the Mean Green golfers.
"On top of the great additions to our roster this year, I was fortunate enough to bring Krista Puisite on as an assistant," Akers said. "She knows exactly how I like to run a program and most importantly she knows what it takes to win and how to get there. Krista and I are used to making it to the NCAA's and expect UNT to get there this year."
The Mean Green open competition with their first tournament September 10-11 at the Minnesota Invitational.
