Girls golf: Scouting Lake County

ANTIOCH

Coach: Bill Hamill (third season)

Last season: eighth in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Samantha Brown (Jr.), Emily Pedersen (So.), Karley Rogalski (Jr.), Taylor Comer (Sr.)

Newcomers: Madi Miash (Fr.), Ally Olsen (Fr.), Kaleigh Ulm (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Sequoits return junior Samantha Brown, who qualified for sectionals last fall and opened this season by shooting a 91 at Metamora Fields Golf Club near Peoria. Lefty Taylor Comer is the lone senior for coach Bill Hamill, who says returning sophomore Emily Pedersen has shown improved length off the tee. Junior Karley Rogalski can also hit the ball far. On Wednesday, Hamill took his players to Spring Valley Country Club, where they worked on their short game. "We stayed about 20 yards off the green, and we probably hit 300 shots each into the green," Hamill said. "I told them, 'You're killing yourself out on the course right now. You're throwing away 8 or 9 strokes a round (18 holes) by not being able to get on the green and putt out.' "

CARMEL

Coach: Tara Gille (first season)

Last season: second in East Suburban Catholic Conference tournament, second in Class AA Carmel regional, 11th in Buffalo Grove sectional

Returning golfers: Sydney Faerber (So.), Victoria Giambrone (Sr.), Julia Zimmer (Jr.), Becca Curley (So.), Grace Cappelle (So.), Caitlyn Lenihan (So.), Maddie Kosobucki (So.)

Newcomers: Maria Stephens (Fr.), Jessica Vrioni (So.)

Season outlook: Tara Gille takes over the head-coaching job from Jill Franz, who stepped down after directing the Corsairs to their fourth sectional berth in as many years. The Corsairs graduated four-year starter Erin Kehoe and Carmel regional runner-up Danielle Savovich. Gille's veterans include sophomore Sydney Faerber, senior Victoria Giambrone and junior Julia Zimmer, all of whom teed it up in the regional last year. Freshman Maria Stephens should make an impact. "Our returning golfers have been practicing a lot and are looking good for the season," Gille said. "Our new freshman is a strong golfer, and I'm excited to see her on the course in matches this year. Team strengths include short game and some powerful drives."

GRANT

Coach: A.J. Havenga (seventh season)

Last season: fifth in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Kylie Diana (Sr.), Maddy Lantz (Sr.), Kristen Carroll (Sr.), Lexie Glunz (Sr.), Sami Miller (Sr.), Kaetlyn Dressendorfer (Sr.)

Newcomers: none

Season outlook: It's a veteran team for the Bulldogs, who return sectional qualifiers Maddy Lantz and Kylie Diana, a pair of seniors who have played on varsity since their freshman year. Lexie Glunz is also playing her fourth season on varsity. Two-time state qualifier KiLynn Gold, who would have been a senior this fall, graduated early. "As an all-senior team, we have lots of leadership and experience which will hopefully yield a successful season," coach A.J. Havenga said. "All the girls have improved tremendously since their freshman year so the hope is to end their careers on a high note."

GRAYSLAKE CO-OP

Coach: Scott Ewen (fourth season)

Last season: sixth in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Sophie Jensen (Sr.), Morgan Atwell (So.)

Newcomers: Ella Jensen (Fr.)

Season outlook: The co-op team was young and inexperienced last year but started to find a rhythm toward the end of the season, coach Scott Ewen said. At the Class AA Carmel regional, Grayslake finished ahead of three teams that had lost to previously. Morgan Atwell, a returning sophomore, just missed making it to sectionals. "We hope to carry (last season's) momentum into this season and look to compete with everyone in our conference," Ewen said. Freshman Ella Jensen is the sister of senior Sophie, who "continues to be a leader for us," Ewen said. Sophie Jensen is the only player still on the roster that was part of the sectional-qualifying team in 2014.

LAKES

Coaches: Nick Aguina and Brian Esposito (first season)

Last season: seventh in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Camryn Jones (Jr.), Rachel Speck (Jr.), Megan Klein (Jr.), Tessa Pooley (Jr.)

Newcomers: Emily Christiansen (Jr.)

Season outlook: Camryn Jones returns after qualifying for sectionals as a sophomore last fall and falling just short of advancing downstate. Jones and fellow junior Megan Klein have both been on varsity the last two years. "We are striving toward being competitive in each and every match," first-year coach Nick Aguina said. "We are putting an emphasis on the game of golf from 100 yards and in. We are working to build a culture of putting that focuses on 2 putts or less."

LAKE ZURICH

Coach: Mel Fox (16th season)

Last season: fifth in North Suburban Conference tournament, ninth in Class AA Lake Forest regional

Returning golfers: Kelsey Kee (Sr.), Alex Leitl (Sr.), Grace Loverde (Jr.), Taylor Schwab (Jr.), Alyson Kee (So.)

Newcomers: Bry Hogan (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Bears started their season by shooting a school-record 348 in the Barrington invite. Senior Kelsey Kee (78) and freshman Bry Hogan (79) both broke 80, and four girls shot personal bests. Kee and Alex Leitl are playing their fourth season on varsity. "The team looks strong and is ready to compete," coach Mel Fox said. "Of course, we will continue to work on the short game. We are looking forward to a winning season." Hogan shined again Thursday, firing a 1-over 36, as the Bears carded a 181 in beating Palatine.

LIBERTYVILLE

Coach: Greg Pedersen (eighth season)

Last season: first in North Suburban Conference tournament, first in Class AA Carmel regional, eighth in Buffalo Grove sectional

Returning golfers: Colby Roberts (Sr.)

Newcomers: Lauren Kavathas (Sr.), Grace Boileau (Jr.), Maggie Burnetti (Jr.), Emma Milowski (Jr.), Katie Zurek (Jr.), Payton DeBruler (So.), Alex Scrogham (So.)

Season outlook: The Wildcats have dominated in recent years, qualifying for state in 2015 and winning the North Suburban Conference championship each of the last three years. But they graduated five of the their top six players from last year, and that included three-time state qualifier and four-year No. 1 Simone Mikaelian. Senior Colby Roberts and junior Grace Boileau teed it up in the regionals last fall. "Rebuilding time," said coach Greg Pedersen, adding he has a school-record 26 girls on the team this year and 20 are freshmen or sophomores (12 freshmen). "The youth movement couldn't come at a better time as we can focus on developing our young players. Many of them are new to the game, but they work hard and show a competitive desire to improve. We don't have the veteran talent to challenge in the conference or regional this fall, but we want Colby and Lauren (Kavathas) to have great senior seasons, and we are challenging our younger players to learn as much as they can and get a little better each day."

MUNDELEIN

Coach: Barb Hartwig (13th season)

Last season: sixth in North Suburban Conference tournament

Returning golfers: Alex Hevko (So.), Ryan Wilson (So.)

Newcomers: Tessa Pierpont (Fr.), Maddie Wade (Fr.), Faith Romberger (Fr.), Olivia Szalinski (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Mustangs, who graduated sectional qualifier Isabella Loverde, don't have a senior or junior on the roster. The good news is, they have ample golfers. "This is the largest freshman group we have had in several years, which is exciting for the growth of our program," coach Barb Hartwig said. "Our emphasis this season is on skill development and gaining valuable experience for the future."

STEVENSON

Coach: Emma Degen (third season)

Last season: fourth in North Suburban Conference tournament, sixth in Class AA Lake Forest regional

Returning golfers: Katie Hannahs (Sr.), Olivia Stomberg (Sr.), Gina Shanley (Sr.), Tanya Chanprung (Jr.), Joyce Bai (So.)

Newcomers: Kelly Dong (Fr.), Sophia Zhuang (Fr.), Briana Fidman (Fr.)

Season outlook: Joyce Bai had a sensational season as a freshman last year, qualifying for sectionals. Senior Olivia Stomberg is playing her third season on varsity and was a sectional qualifier in 2015. "We are hoping with our young team again this season to be competitive in the conference and throughout the postseason," coach Emma Degen said. "We have a lot of depth on our team and will use each girl's strengths to our advantage."

VERNON HILLS

Coach: Stephen Downey (second season)

Last season: seventh in Central Suburban League tournament, seventh in Class AA Lake Forest regional

Returning golfers: Grace Im (Jr.), Jacki Park (Jr.), Bayasa Hayanhirvaa (Sr.)

Newcomers: Maja Mirjanic (Fr.), Sumin Hong (Fr.)

Season outlook: Faith Jung wrapped up her four-year varsity career last fall by advancing to sectionals for the fourth time. Junior Grace Im returns for her third varsity campaign. Cougars coach Stephen Downey said he expects his players to improve from last year, demonstrate "good team unity" and "be motivated to improve."

WARREN

Coach: Leigh Ann Mondrawickas-Boncher (15th season)

Last season: second in North Suburban Conference tournament, fourth in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Ellie Bousson (Sr.), Annika Johnson (Sr.), Danielle Guzman (Jr.), Amanda Mietus (Jr.), Chloe Morrissey (So.)

Newcomers: Sydney Bornhorst (Fr.)

Season outlook: Coach Leigh Ann Mondrawickas-Boncher calls her the team "poised and eager to compete in the conference," and for good reason. The Blue Devils return five players who contributed on varsity last year. Junior Danielle Guzman and sophomore Chloe Morrissey both qualified for sectionals. "We have excellent leadership with our returning senior team captains," Mondrawickas-Boncher said of Ellie Bousson and Annika Johnson. "Many players, especially Guzman and Morrissey, put in significant time during the off-season to elevate their game and lower their scores. We are excited to add incoming freshman Sydney Bornhorst to our lineup. She has the ability to make an immediate impact. The team has great potential, and we look forward to seeing what the girls can accomplish this season. They are a focused, goal-oriented group who enjoy the sport and working toward being better." Morrissey's 3-over 39 on Wednesday led the Blue Devils (176) to victory over visiting Palatine at Bittersweet. It was Morrissey's second 39 in as many days.