After capturing the women’s golf state championship with a new squad last season, SBCC can rely on the experience of four returning players as it shoots for its third state crown in the last four years.
“We have four really good returners and four talented newcomers,” said 10th-year coach Chuck Melendez. “We have a lot of upside.”
Asaka Sim, a sophomore from Dos Pueblos High, was the WSC Player of the Year in 2008 and claimed the individual state title by a stroke with rounds of 79 and 74 at Olivas Links in Ventura. Her sister, Sumika, who placed sixth in the state, is also back, along with Jenna Boyle, a two-time WSC medalist, and Sara Borneman.
“I think we’ll be better than last year because we have more depth,” noted Melendez.
The Vaqueros have finished first, second and first in the state over the last three years. They’ve won five of the last six Western State Conference titles and are 124-6 (.954) in conference play over the last three seasons.
The four newcomers are Anna Samson, a first-team All-Channel League choice from Dos Pueblos High, Nicole Denny (Eureka), Kaitlyn Gatena (Westlake) and Alyssa DiVincent (Discovery Bay). In the season-opening South Coast Classic in Ventura, Denny has the third-best score for the Vaqueros while Asaka Sim shots two rounds of 76 and finished in third place, one shot behind the leaders.
“Asaka has improved a lot with her golf game and getting physically stronger,” said Melendez. “And so have Jenna and Sara.
“I’m confident about winning the state again. We have a great deal of character and a lot of potential.”
