The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) women's golf team will open the fall season in the NIACC Invitational September 10 at Mason City.
Sophomores Kylie Nichols of Ogden and Alison Schweers of Carroll are two of the three sophomores returning this season. Nichols and Schweers were members of the 2017-18 DMACC team that played in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women's National Championship last spring. Nichols finished 85th and Schweers was 93rd in the tournament.
"We're expecting great things out of them," DMACC women's golf coach Chris Seaboch said. "They've worked hard all summer and they are ready to go."
Also returning for her sophomore season is Meghan Matherly of Ankeny.
"If she puts some extra work in, we might be able to get her where we want her by next spring," Seaboch said.
The lone incoming freshman is Abi Tinlin of Des Moines.
"She is working really hard," Seaboch said. "If she continues to work this hard this fall and in the spring she is going to have a shot to get there as well."
Having a roster of just four players is of some concern for Seaboch because teams competing for tournament championships have to post four scores. An injury could prevent the DMACC team from competing for team championships.
"Not only that, but if one girl has a bad day, you are kind of stuck with that score," Seaboch said.
Seaboch said the goal for the fall season is to competitive and get ready for the spring season, when tournament play counts more.
"I've got expectations that we can make it back to the national tournament, but they just don't give the keys out to anybody that asks, you have to earn them," Seaboch said. "The work starts now even though spring time is our time."
Other tournaments for the DMACC women's golf team this fall include the Buena Vista Invitational Sept. 21 and 22; the NJCAA Region XI Preview on Oct. 11 and the Crossroads of America Tournament Oct. 14 and 15 at St. Louis, Mo.