Team of the Week: Libertyville Girls Golf

The state champion was still out. But 's girls golf team was in a great position. The only thing stopping a team trip was if Stevenson's Stephanie Miller shot a brilliant 67.

"We knew if Stephanie Miller did not shoot a 67 that we would qualify for sectionals,'' said Libertyville girls golf coach Greg Pedersen. "And we knew very well that she could do it. When the word came in that she actually shot a 67 we were pretty dejected."

Libertyville finished fourth in Tuesday's Lake Forest Regional. The Wildcats shot a respectable 351.

"That's our best score in years,'' Pedersen said. "We have a good team and we're shooting some really good scores, so it just feels like a punch in the gut. It's too early for our season to be ending."

Two Wildcats Advance to Sectionals

The good news is girls golf isn't over for two Wildcats. Camilla Ou shot a solid 75 and will qualify as an individual to Monday's sectional at Buffalo Grove.

"Camilla is quick to remind her teammates that she became dramatically better by practicing,'' Pedersen said. "In her case three hours a day over the summer. She has tremendous dedication to her swing. She's capable of making it to state."

Ou won't be traveling alone to Buffalo Grove. Teammate Darinka Sutic carded an 87 and also qualified for the sectional. Senior Sutic was the team's captain this fall.

"She was steady for us all year, shooting an 87-88 or 43-44 at pretty much every event we had,'' he said. "If you have that kind of consistency, we know we can withstand some poor outings by other players. Darinka works hard, cares a lot, and was a great role model for our younger players."

Regional Loaded With Great Players

Pedersen was well-aware that this regional in Lake Forest was loaded with excellent players.

"We were paired with Highland Park and Buffalo Grove and Stevenson and we knew it would take a really special score to advance,'' he said. "We almost did it."

Still this team has made great progress the last few years.

"Our girls golf team had a great season,'' he said. "We've come a long way in two years, and while we came up just short in championship situations this year we have to take a step back and view our progress and realize that girls golf at Libertyville is playing at a high level."

NSC Tourney: The Wildcats finished second in the conference this season. The conference meet was another close loss to Stevenson. The Cats fell one shot short (367). Despite some tough weather conditions, Sutic and Ou shared top honors with 87s. Lauren Dohse (96) and Emilie Teitz (97) also contributed.

"That was a tough one to take,'' Pedersen said. "Because we knew our fifth score beat Stevenson's in case it went to a tie-breaker. Our kids handled the rough weather conditions and played quite well. Scores were high for all teams, but we dealt with the conditions and made a great run at the trophy."

Next Year: The Wildcats will bring back the talented Ou next season. She should be joined by Paige Webb. This player fought through a back injury this season.

"We are looking forward to Paige getting a year of off-season work,'' Pedersen said. "And we'll see if she can reach some of her amazing potential."

There is help coming from the unbeaten junior varsity team. Tressa Freburg won the NSC title. When not golfing she is a caddy.

"If she works on her game, she can really bring it,'' Pedersen said.

Dohse should return next year as well.

"Lauren hits a straight ball with much accuracy,'' he said. "She's working on adding some length to her shots which would make her quite formidable as a senior."

Another senior to watch next year is three-sport athlete Izzy Alesna.

"Izzy strikes the ball very well,'' she said. "When she finds consistency with her putter, she can be a force."

The Wildcats do have a few goodbyes to make. In addition to Sutic and Teitz, Libertyville graduates Anna King.

"We had 21 girls on the team, up from 12 just two years ago,'' he said. "We want the girls to have fun, but to have fun it in a competitive manner. And with seven kids under 50 each time out and with 10 players who saw varsity time this year, we have a competitive group who is advancing in skill."