It was announced earlier today by the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) office that the University of Redlands women's golf team has been tabbed the No. 1 pick in the sport's first-ever preseason poll, as voted upon by the head coaches of the member schools. The Bulldogs received 62 points and seven first-place votes to finish ahead of runner-up Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges by 10 points.
"It is an honor to have been selected as the preseason favorite by the SCIAC women's golf coaches," Head Coach Jack Stewart commented. "We're looking forward to a terrific SCIAC season and wish all the teams good luck."
Pomona-Pitzer Colleges (44 points), Whittier College (43), Cal Lutheran University (38), Chapman University (21), Occidental College (19), and the University of La Verne (8) followed in the poll.
Redlands looks to the contributions of four returning golfers to help the squad contend for a possible third-consecutive conference championship. Junior Caroline Ordian (Palm Desert, CA) leads the talented crew after winning last year's NCAA Division III Individual Championship and earning her second SCIAC Athlete of the Year award.
Following her third All-SCIAC nod with last year's Second-Team award, senior Raquel Gordon (Culver City, CA) strives to continue that success into her final campaign. She is joined by her sister, senior Kari Gordon (Culver City, CA), who owns a pair of Second-Team All-SCIAC honors. Senior Jenna Durette (Oceanside, CA) completes the returning corps of Bulldogs as a viable contributor in her fourth season.
In addition, freshmen Jasmine Hsu (Fremont, CA) and Paige Phillips (Danville, CA) look to compete right away as talented rookies among the high-caliber squad.
The conference champion is determined by a seven-round, aggregate score, which includes two, 36-hole tournaments, and one 54-hole outing. Currently ranked No. 11 by Golfstat, Redlands looks forward to opening SCIAC action on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26, at the San Dimas Golf Club.