Fall Preview: Seniors lead DV girls golf contingent

When the Desert Vista girls golf team shows up for practice there aren't many open spots on the driving range.

Coach Pierson Hamilton has 14 players on the roster this season but it's a trio of seniors who could be leading the Thunder back to the 5A-DI championship where Desert Vista has finished second three out of the last four years.

Stephanie Kim, who placed fifth individually last season, Marissa Delgado and Shannon Cervacio have playoff experience and are being counted on to lead a crop of freshmen rookies and newcomers this year.

"There's no doubt they will be a big part of it," Hamilton said. "Stephanie should be competing for the state championship."

Last season Desert Vista had a one-two punch in Kim and Brianna Espinoza, who was the runner-up for medalist honors, five strokes behind Phoenix Xavier's  Cheyenne Woods.

"We don't have two like that this year, so we're going to have to lower all the other scores," Hamilton said. "We can't shot a 95 in the state tournament and expect to win. We're focusing on getting in the 80s and I think they're capable of doing that this year."

While Desert Vista lost Espinoza to graduation last spring, the Thunder have picked up her sister, Katie, as one of six freshmen. Another is Kassidy Long-Goheen, a junior tournament golf and sister of Erik Long-Goheen in the Desert Vista boys team.

There are eight new players among the 14 on the roster.

"That's the most we've had by far," Hamilton said. "I'm excited for the season and I can't believe we got as many kids out as we did. The hardest part is being one set of eyes watching 14 players."

Emily Serie, a junior left-hander who played in some matches last season, is expected to back up the top three players.

"It's very hard to pick this year because we have nine or 10 who could clearly be competing for the top five spots," Hamilton said.

After finished second three out of the last four years and no worse than third over the past five years, Desert Vista girls team has established itself among the elite programs in the state.

"I think we're a Top 5 team," Hamilton added. "We've got some freshmen that are ready to go and I think they could be pushing everyone."

Hamilton figures Corona del Sol, Chandler Hamilton and Basha could be threats to the Thunder this season.

"It's going to take some depth," Hamilton said, "and you're going to have to have four girls shooting under 85 to almost guarantee it for you. But we have three rookies ready to go and I think they could be pushing everyone."