BILLINGS, Mont. – With a lineup featuring five veterans and one transfer newcomer, the Montana State University Billings women's golf team hopes their Division II years of experience will pay dividends in 2019-20.
 
The group of six teed off for the first time last weekend at the SFU True North Classic in Richmond, British Columbia and finished ninth among a field of 11 teams September 16-17. The Yellowjackets are in action again Monday September 23, playing at the Western New Mexico University Mustang Invitational in Goodyear, Arizona. The two-round event will take place at the Golf Club of Estrella, with 18 holes being played both Monday and Tuesday of next week. The 'Jackets played in the same tournament one year ago.
 
"We lost two key seniors from last year's team, but we return four with high quality tournament experience," commented head coach Jeff Allen. "Even though our roster size is smaller, we have six women who can play any position so our depth of quality is really good."
 
The 'Jackets will need to replace second team all-conference selection Shealyn Hafer as well as Sarah Schroefel, who graduated last spring. Candidates to take up the reigns of the program include juniors Renae Heisler and Sydney Rochford, the most experienced members of the squad with two full years of Division II tournament play each.

 
"Renae and Sydney both had career lows last spring and played some great golf and learned a lot," Allen said. "Our two juniors have such a senior way about them, it's hard to believe they have two years left. This season is a great opportunity for them to step up and be the captains that we need with the loss of Shealyn and Sarah. I know our younger players will want to step up as well."
 
Four sophomores make up the core of the younger group, including returners Kinsey Irvin (Lewistown, Montana), Tierney Messmer (Sidney, Montana), and Jalen Wagner (Billings, Montana). Newcomer Avery Gill (West Linn, Oregon) transferred to MSUB after two seasons at Southwestern Oregon Community College and knows what it's like to play at the collegiate level.
 
"We have a great, talented group of sophomores that we relied on heavily last year, especially Tierney and Kinsey," Allen said. "Jalen worked her butt off over the summer and I expect her to get more rounds this year. Our fourth and fifth spot I think will be really competitive which is good."
 
Gill shot a 162 (79-83) to lead the Yellowjackets at the SFU True North Showdown earlier in the week. She tied for 25^th overall but the 'Jackets ninth place finish was still underwhelming when considering their season expectations.
 
"Avery came in with NWAC experience and a good work ethic so I was excited to see her perform," commented Allen. "When we won the Saint Martin's Tournament last year no one played exceptional but everyone played well and that was a big lesson for our team. Now they know that they don't have to all go out and shoot career lows for us to win a tournament. That's the difference about college golf, the team aspect means you are playing for more than just yourself. If you look at the score sheet after a round and everybody could have just saved two shots a round, all the sudden we are right in the mix to win."
 
MSU Billings plays in the WNMU Mustang Open September 23-24 in Goodyear, Arizona, then the Dixie State Invitational September 30-October 1. The team travels to Portland for the Concordia Invitational October 7-8, then closes out the fall in the MSUB/RMC Ryder Cup at Lake Hills and Peter Yegen Golf Courses in Billings October 19-20.
 
"My goal is to be GNAC champions as a team and individually," Allen said. "We have the talent on both teams to achieve that. We've never put the regional tournament on our calendar but we need to so we can strive and work toward it. We have to have the mindset that we are good enough to compete at the highest levels because it's absolutely true."
 
The Yellowjackets' home events and practice facility is Lake Hills Golf Club in Billings. Live scoring for all tournaments throughout the season will be available through the women's golf schedule page at www.msubsports.com.