Every year under coach Terry Gingell, the Carson High girls golf team has made marked improvement.
The improvement should continue this year as the Senators have an experienced group back from last year's team that finished second in the Sierra League behind Reno High and fifth at the Northern 4A Championships. Seven players return from that team.
Carson's top four players return from last year in Michelle Kop, Lydia Peri, Sarah Metcalf and Chelsea Keating. Kop made the NIAA 4A State Championships last year.
This year's state tournament will be held at Empire Ranch Golf Course, so Gingell is looking to have as many of his players qualifying - if not his entire team - for the state event.
"It's a good local course that we have and the girls know it well," Gingell said. "I think we'll have a couple of girls at least qualify as individuals."
While Kop and Peri could be considered Carson's top two players, Gingell said Metcalf and Keating aren't too far behind.
"Sarah has worked on her game this summer as has Chelsea Keating," Gingell said.
Keating could be the surprise of the group. She won a Northern Nevada Junior Golf Association tournament for the 13-17 age bracket, shooting a 44 over nine holes at the Dayton Valley Golf Club.
"I was very pleased," Gingell said. "I was happy for her. She just might surprise as well.
"She's been practicing hard. She has practiced and played this summer as has Michelle and Lydia."
Gingell said all four golfers are capable of shooting under 100. The key for Carson could if a fifth golfer can shoot under 100 as well. Five scores count in tournament play.
The top candidates to fill the fifth and sixth spots the team's only two seniors, Melanie Gingell and Taylor Stokes. But there's also Kacey Potter, who returns from last year, Julia Lapham and four freshmen, Macey Young, Katie Cowperthwaite, Kim Mahoney and Erika Newlin.
"I'm very pleased," said Gingell about his freshmen. "They're all pretty athletic girls. They all have some experience.
"They're all hitting the ball well. I think they will pressure the top six. I think one or two might make the top six at least a few times this year."
All 12 of his players could crack the top six, Gingell said. "All of them are legitimate top six candidates," he said.
Gingell knows it will be a daunting task to make state as it seems Galena and Reno have those top two spots locked up every year.
"Galena and Reno alwasys seem to put outstanding players out," Gingell said. "We were a ways away from those teams last year."
"I'd like to keep that spot and maybe give Reno a bit of a scare," said Gingell about finishing at least second in the Sierra League again. We're going to play our own game.
"Top to bottom it's the strongest we've had," said Gingell about this year's team. "I think we'll be a better team this year than we were last year."