In its third season in existence, the Virginia women's golf team has never been ranked this high. Standing at No. 11 in the Golfweek.com rankings, Virginia is proving that a young program can compete with other programs that have a longer history of success.
Texas A&M, a program that has a significantly longer history of women's golf competition, stands ahead of the Cavaliers in the rankings. The University of Southern California, which won the women's national title in 2003, stands behind Virginia.
"Our team's goal is to be a national champion," Virginia coach Jan Mann said. "We are excited to be ranked 12th [now 11th], and it is a huge accomplishment. I am not in the least bit surprised. We are extremely committed, and we believe in ourselves."
With a $1.4 million endowment from a donor, Virginia Athletic Director Craig Littlepage announced in 2001 the formation of a women's golf team that would become the 25th intercollegiate sport at the University. Since then, Virginia has built a top program from scratch.
In addition to a top-national team ranking, two Virginia players earned individual top-25 rankings. Junior captain Leah Wigger edged her own teammate for 22nd place, and sophomore Lauren Mielbrecht followed in 23rd place.
"For two members of the team to be ranked in the top [twenty-five] players in the nation is an honor, yet we believe we have earned it through a great deal of dedication and hard work," Mielbrecht said. "This ranking provides us with the confidence to remain determined as we face top competition."
The Cavaliers indeed face tough competition every time they square off. In the top 30 teams in the country, the ACC boasts four teams, including Virginia and a defending national champion in current No. 1 Duke.
"Our goal is to win every tournament we compete in," Mann said. "Each day we grow more in confidence. We are a good program and can contend with anybody."
In its inaugural season in 2003-04, the squad finished seventh at the ACC Championships. In that competition, Wigger, who has been named to the All-ACC squad in each of her first two seasons, provided the consistent play a new program needed.
Last year's campaign proved to be a bigger step towards the team's goals of a national championship. With the emergence of Mielbrecht, Virginia qualified for the NCAA Championships and finished in 16th place. In recognition of her individual second-place finish at the NCAA Championships, Wigger was named an Honorable Mention All-American from the National Golf Coaches Association.
"Leah has been a great player throughout her career," Mann said. "She has been a really strong player for us. Lauren has come on really strong and got her game in shape. She started the year working really hard."
In the beginning of the program's history, opponents underestimated the ability of Virginia's teams and its players.
"At the time, we were able to use it to our advantage," Mann said. "With the youth of the team and program, people don't expect us to be great. We can just tee it up, and it works in our advantage."
With the recent rankings and previous competition performances, opponents and Virginia players alike have begun to understand that the youth factor is wearing off.
"I do not believe that being a young program in its third year creates a disadvantage," Mielbrecht said. "Coach Mann has brought together a group of individuals whose desire to be the best remains strong. Her expertise in the coaching arena erases many challenges a youthful team may experience. Similarly, our team fills the potential void by constantly reminding each other we are as talented as any team in the country."
Five regular season competitions remain in the Cavaliers' long schedule before any hope of postseason success can be accomplished. A memory of their young past will linger with the women's squad as they work toward future titles in the ACC and NCAA.
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