HHS girls' golf has high expectations this fall

By RANDY GONZALEZ

The Hays High School girls' golf team has five seniors.

The Class 5A state tournament is at Smoky Hill Country Club, the Indians' home course.

HHS is coming off a third-place finish at last year's season finale. The Indians also were fourth at state in 2008 and 2009.

The stars appear to be aligned for the Indians to have another good year -- perhaps their best ever.

"We're hoping they put it together, finish strong and bring home another trophy," coach Mark Watts said. "We finished third last year; that's the best a Hays High team has ever done."

But the team which could be at state won't be the team at Monday's season opener. The Indians play host to the Hays High Invitational, which starts at 3 p.m. at Smoky Hill Country Club.

Watts will be minus two of his golfers for Monday's meet. Senior Alexyss Leiker is still recovering from a knee injury suffered last spring while playing soccer, and Watts said Courtney Hess also hasn't been cleared to play yet after having jaw surgery over the summer.

The Indians also will have to replace standout Sami Hobson, an all-state golfer who will play for Fort Hays State University this season.

"The last three years we've had really good seasons, and we lost Sami Hobson, who has an average of 82 we need to replace, and Tara McGuire was off and on, on varsity," Watts said. "But we got five seniors back. Yes, expectations are high."

The lineup for Monday's meet has senior Natalie Bethel at No. 1, followed by senior Kaycee Beilman -- who made all-state last year -- at No. 2. Senior Madeline Curry will be at No. 3, and senior Holly Hattan will be at No. 4. Junior Taylor Herman will be at No. 5, and freshman Lexie Schaben will be at No. 6.

Class 6A Garden City will be at the meet, a team Watts said "is by far the class team in western Kansas, maybe the state."

Watts is counting on his deep lineup.

"The thing about our team, we've got depth," Watts said. "I think I've got seven girls I can pick through to play varsity. That's good to have."

Last year was a season to remember. The team set scoring records for both nine holes and 18 holes. Watts wants another memorable season in 2011, while he still has those veteran seniors.

"If you're looking ahead to the future, this is the year you want to bring home a second-place trophy or a first-place trophy," Watts said.