For the past four years, Liz Rankl has been the mainstay of the Carson High girls golf squad.
Rankl is gone, and it's time for other players in the program to step into starring roles.
Carson returns five of its top six players from last year - seniors Samantha Wang and Grace Ray, junior Sarah Metcalf and sophomores Lydia Peri and Michelle Kop.
"Obviously we'll miss Liz," Carson coach Terry Gingell said. "I think all of the top five have improved. Lydia and Michelle played some junior tournaments this year. Samantha and Grace played quite a bit, too."
Gingell said the reamining 10 players will battle, for what is now, only one starting spot.
That group includes freshmen Chelsea Keating, Taylor Ker, Tami Conn, Erica McCraw and Krystyne Basa, sophomores Lindy Champion, Kelsey Dockery and Taylor Stokes, and junior Melanie Gingell, who played in one match two years ago.
"We have some freshmen that are good athletes and might surprise some people," Gingell said. "We have 15 girls on the team this year, which is more than than there has been (recently). I think we'll be a better team than last year."
That may be true in terms of balance, but none of the returnees scored in the 90s often, and they will have to be more consistent this year.
GALENA
Gone is Lux Gill, who led the Grizzlies to four straight Northern 4A golf titles. Ditto for Michele Bick and Cali Mannos.
The cupboard isn't exactly bare for Ray Isernhagen, who takes over as head coach after being an assistant for the past several years. The Grizzlies haven't lost a 4A title since 1998.
Senior Caitlin Mullins, junior Ashley Menante, junior Jessica Jones and junior Allison Burns, all of whom were starters at various times last year, are back this year, and all four will start. All four figure to shoot somewhere betwen 83 and 89, according to Isernhagen.
The last two starting spots will be up for grabs between junior Meaghan Callahan, sophomore Arianna Rosen, sophomore Cassie Kolesar, sophomore Colleen Mullins, freshman Lexi Menante and freshman Christy Mannos.
"We have a solid group of players ," Isernhagen said. "We don't have that singular outstanding girl. The top four or five girls are bogey or better golfers. For girls golf, bogey golf does well as a team. On most teams there are two or three good golfers and then a big dropoff. Top to bottom we're pretty solid."
DOUGLAS
The Tigers' new coach, Steve Gustafson, has just a nine-person squad comprised mostly of freshmen.
"It's probably a rebuilding year if you want to put it that way," Gustafson said. "Hopefully we'll be competitive and be in the mix this year."
Gustafson has three returnees - senior Jolie Kizer, sophomore Kristin Wyatt and senior Sarah Schonian.
Two freshmen - Michele Nikkels and Shelby Louie - have been impressive thus far.
Darrell Moody can be reached at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281
SIERRA LEAGUE MATCHES
Sept. 1 at Sierra Sage Noon
Sept. 6 at Wildcreek, 1 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Eagle Valley West, 10:45 a.m.
Sept. 20 at Rosewood Lakes, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Washoe, 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Lake Tahoe GC, 1 p.m.
Oct. 10-11 Regionals at Silver Oak
