Sports
Dougherty Valley Girls Golf Preview: Wildcats Aiming for League Title
Wildcats look to improve on back-to-back second place league finishes.
School: Dougherty Valley High School
Sport: Girls Golf
Coach: Evan Powell, first year
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Key returners: Rashi Ojha, senior; Sunny Sanjuktah, senior; Michelle Song, junior
Top newcomer: Isabel Tung, freshman
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Quote: "I think this team can do really well," Powell said. "We got a few returning players and some really good newcomers."
Website: http://www.dvwildcats.com/sports/?page_id=25
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In coach Evan Powell's first year with as the Dougherty Valley High girls golf coach, he expects big things.
"I think we'll do really well this year," Powell said. "We're returning a lot of players and got some pretty good newcomers."
Dougherty Valley has finished second in the Diablo Foothill Athletic League the past two seasons, but Powell feels this could be the year the Wildcats finally find first place.
"Our seniors and juniors are phenomenal and our underclassmen are learning fast," Powell said.
Powell, who also coaches junior varsity baseball at Dougherty Valley, said coaching female teams are easier than male teams because the girls tend to get along better. This squad is no exception.
"Everyone is really friendly," freshman Isabel Tung said. "Whenever one of us needs help either a team member or coach is right there to help you. It's a fun team."
The Wildcats will be entering the season without former number one player Camille Armas as she graduated in June. Armas qualified for North Coast Section playoffs all four years of high school. Powell feels the team can still be successful despite her departure.
"We need to make the easy shots," Powell said. "We need to be ready to hit the ball and take the time needed to get to the ball. We can't have more than two puts or more than two chips. If we do that we can keep our scores low and win."
Senior Rashi Ojha has a specific goal for the Wildcats this season — finish first in DFAL.
"I want us to improve on our past two second place finishes in DFAL," Ojha said. "I want us to also go farther in NCS than we did last year."
Dougherty Valley's home course is the Falls Course at the Blackhawk Country Club, its fourth home course in as many years. Powell believes could make or break the season this year.
"The biggest hurdle for the team this year is playing on a fourth course in four years," he said. "This course is rated pretty well and we have to overcome the fear of playing on a prestigious course. If we can play well on this course, we should be better off."
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Dougherty Valley Wildcats Women's Golf Roster
Natalie Cha (12)
Evelyn Chang (12)
Braelena Hills (11)
Alee Kwong (10)
Rashi Ojha (12)
Sanjuktha Sandeep (11)
Min Sun (Michelle) Song (11)
Mariesa Toy (9)
