Poland girls seek third straight date with state

August 21, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

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By GREG GULAS

With a state title (2008) and runner-up crown (2009) safely tucked away the past two seasons, the goal for the Poland girl’s golf team this year is rather simple — return to the state for the opportunity to play for another state championship.

“We have a hard-working, talented group of girls. The only thing we need to do is get them some seasoning and develop their consistency,” said coach Judy Young. “We have two girls returning this season from that state championship team and they want this group to experience what they have experienced.”

Young enters her ninth season at the helm hoping this year’s squad can duplicate the 15-0 regular season mark of a season ago and repeat as All-American Conference White Tier champions.

They are also the two-time defending AAC tournament champions.

The Bulldogs lost four players to graduation, including Alex Nelson, Meredith McKay, Mariah Groner and Samantha Cox.

The two players returning from that state title team are senior Allison Mitzel and junior Maria Mancini.

Four other juniors — two who saw action a season ago and two newcomers — as well as two very talented freshmen will round out this year’s roster.

The returnees are Gianna DiBenedetto and Natalie Rivello, while the newcomers include Christine Bilas and Chloe Snider. The freshmen are Melinda Hannon and Rachel Sines.

“Our focus is to get better every time out while everyone would love nothing better than to make that return trip to the state,” Young added.