The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/644580
70 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY BRUCE WINKWORTH T he late Jim Valvano once famously quipped that the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores. NC State women's golf coach Page Marsh may or may not agree with the former Wolfpack basketball legend, but she's definitely not afraid to line up fresh‑ men and let them play. Coming off the two best national finishes in program history — 10th in 2014 and 22nd a year ago — Marsh's 2015‑16 squad is loaded with four highly regarded freshmen. And make no mistake about it, they all can and will play. Marsh will not throw her rookies into the deep end of the pool without some veteran hands around them to help them find their way. Despite the loss of seniors Lindsay McGetrick and Vivian Tsui, Marsh returns three regulars from last spring's lineup and also has a veteran transfer stashed among the newcomers. The Wolfpack will not be just the four freshmen. Everything starts with senior Rachael Taylor. A 2015 NGCA all‑region performer and the Pack's top scorer for the season with a 74.73 stroke average, Taylor led the Wolfpack at the NCAA Raleigh Regional and NCAA Championships. She returns for her final campaign as the team's unques‑ tioned leader. "Rachael Taylor is a mature player and person," Marsh said. "She brings a great ■ PREVIEW WOMEN'S GOLF ■ By The Numbers 22 The Wolfpack's finish at the 2015 NCAA Championships. Led by Rachael Taylor's 14-over-par 230, the Wolfpack notched its second na- tional top-25 finish in as many years. 32 Placement in Golf Week's Feb. 18 national rank- ings, reflecting results of the first weekend of the spring season. The Wolfpack was the sixth highest team from the ACC, following Duke (3), Florida State (22), Notre Dame (23), Virginia (28) and Louisville (31). 73.75 Freshman India Clyburn's team-best per-round average in the fall. Clyburn led the Pack in the fall with a pair of top-20 finishes and five rounds of even par or better (two rounds at even par and three under par). Young, But Promising Despite Four Freshmen And A Transfer, The Wolfpack Has High Hopes This Spring Senior Rachael Taylor was a 2015 NGCA all-region performer and the Pack's top scorer last sea- son with a 74.73 stroke average. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS