2025-26 NSIC Women's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll

8/27/2025 10:00:00 AM

MINNESOTA STATE TOPS NSIC WOMEN'S GOLF PRESEASON POLL

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BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The defending NSIC Women's Golf Champions from Minnesota State University, Mankato were picked to win the league in the preseason women's golf coaches' poll. The Mavericks received nine first place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) and tallied 131 points, nine points ahead of second place Augustana. The Vikings amassed 122 points and a first place vote, while Winona State was third with 113 points, and Sioux Falls was fourth with 109 points and a first place vote.  Rounding out the top five was Wayne State with 106 points and a first place vote. 

Augustana senior Lanie Veenendall was voted by the league coaches as the preseason golfer of the year. Veenendall is the reigning NSIC Player of the Year after finishing third at the NSIC Championships, holding a scoring average of 76.4 over 24 rounds and earning All-NSIC First Team honors for the third straight season. 

The three-round NSIC Women’s Golf Championship will take place next spring on April 22-24 at Adams Pointe Golf Complex in Blue Springs, Missouri.

PRESEASON GOLFER OF THE YEAR

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Lanie Veenendall (Sr., New Richmond, Wis. / New Richmond HS) - Augustana University
  • 2024-25 NSIC Player of the Year
  • Had a scoring average of 76.4 over 24 rounds
  • Named All-NSIC First Team for the third straight season
  • Owned the two lowest rounds (67 at NCAA Central Region & 68 at Grace Shin Regional Preview) in the NSIC in 2024-25
  • Finished in the top three on four occasions
  • Finished 11th in the Central Region
  • Finished third in the NSIC Women's Championship
  • Finished second in the Augustana Spring Invite
  • Finished third in the EverSpring Inn & Suites Mustang invite
  • Finished third in the Hardrocker Fall Invite
Lanie has been a steady player for the past three years. Her dedication to fitness, practice and competition, has created a powerful golf swing with great touch around the greens. Most importantly, Lanie strives to win and will always give us her best.
Director of Golf Coralee Jorgensen

COACHES' QUOTES & ATHLETES TO WATCH

AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY

Augustana looks forward to welcoming two new freshmen, Amanda McRoberts and Josephine (Joey) Koth. They both have had success in high school and will fit right into our program.
Director of Golf Coralee Jorgensen
Lanie has been a steady player for the past three years. Her dedication to fitness, practice and competition, has created a powerful golf swing with great touch around the greens. Most importantly, Lanie strives to win and will always give us her best.
Director of Golf Coralee Jorgensen

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY

I'm excited for this team because we bring back a lot of experience that will help us lower the overall team scores each tournament. We have a group that enjoys being around each other and pushes each other to do better both on and off the course, which you love to see as a coach. I expect us to use the camaraderie and experience to our advantage and post some consistent low scores!
Head Coach Erica Gartner
Sara had a strong freshman season last year - really consistent and put together some low rounds. I expect her to build on that, continue to take strides towards lowering those scores even more and really competing with the top players in our league.
Head Coach Erica Gartner

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL

We’re excited to watch a veteran team with some excellent freshman talent come together and grow as a group. The women are hungry to prove themselves and compete as golden bears.
Head Coach Peter Maki
We’re excited to bring Addi into our program. She has had a great summer of tournament play and we’re ready to watch her compete as a Golden Bear. Her work ethic and her genuine personality will be a great addition to our program.
Head Coach Peter Maki

UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN

Our women's team returns a lot of experience, including four of the top five scoring averages from last year. We were able to play a few NSIC events last year and understand the level of play that we need to meet in order to be successful. We look forward to the challenge and for other players to step up throughout the season.
Head Coach Jared Lentz
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We're excited to have Celi returning with two years left as a graduate student. Her work ethic and desire to get better helps our women's team improve as a whole. She has continued to compete throughout the summer and will be ready to take on the new challenge in the NSIC this fall.
Head Coach Jared Lentz

UNIVERSITY OF MARY

We have a young team that gained valuable experience from last year’s highs and challenges. The addition of two talented freshmen brings fresh energy and depth to our roster. I’m excited to see how that combination pushes us to the next level this season.
Coach Marion Hernandez
Annie made an immediate impact last season as a freshman, earning a travel spot right away and helping us win in Bemidji Tracy Lane Memorial Tournament and placing in several tournaments after. She plays smart, steady golf and minimizes mistakes — definitely a player to watch this year.
Coach Marion Hernandez

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CROOKSTON

We had a ton of potential last year with two individual winners in separate tournaments and are looking to carry the momentum into this year. We're bringing in some very talented freshman on top of some very good returning golfers. I'm excited to see the improvement the girls have made over the summer.
Head Coach Brady Heppner
Anaka is a student of the game of golf. She puts an incredible amount of time trying to develop her game. She's always looking to find new ways to get better and is a great role model to her teammates and fellow classmates at UMC.
Head Coach Brady Heppner

MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO

We graduated one senior from our conference championship team last year, the future continues to be bright for us. Bringing in three players and having a deep group of returners we look to continue the success we had last year.
Head Coach Alex Schmitz
Emerson came into a very strong program last season. She worked very hard throughout the year and especially over the winter, she led the team to a conference championship and the individual title. And she has continued to play well over the summer.
Head Coach Alex Schmitz

MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MOORHEAD

I'm excited for this crew to get rolling. We have a great team culture and we are eager to get better every day. This is a close group and I think we will show some great strides in 2025-2026 season. Let's go Dragons!!!
Head Coach Brock Ellingson
Halle is primed to have a successful final year of her collegiate career. I'm excited to see how she does. She has been consistently our best player the last two years. She is entering her second year as team captain. She does great in the classroom and works hard to improve.
Head Coach Brock Ellingson

MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY

I think the most exciting thing about this year's team is getting to see a new perspective as a first year head coach. We have some incredibly talented young ladies on our roster, and I'm excited to see what both the new and returning players are going to bring this year! With an almost completely new roster I believe these ladies might surprise the conference.
Head Coach Dakota Brekhus
Zoe has been a key player over the last three years for the Beavers. Her consistency and work ethic, both on and off the course, have been monumental to the teams success and morale. She is coming off a record setting year where the team shot a 3-day total score of 979 to set the school's low scoring record in the NSIC Conference Championship finishing sixth. She intends to build on that success and help lead the team to more great finishes in her final year at Minot State.
Head Coach Dakota Brekhus

UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS

Five of our top six players from last year return, plus incoming freshman Gwen Lutunski, had a really good spring and summer so I am expecting her to contribute right away. After a really good fall, we had a disappointing spring so I hope that will motivate all of us to get off to a really good start. We have shown that we have the talent to compete for a conference championship, we just need to be more consistent throughout the lineup.
Head Coach Wade Merry
Bryn is ready to step up and be the leader of our team. A former high school state champion, she stepped right into our lineup as a freshman and has shown great consistency throughout her two years at USF. She has had a great summer and knows she has to continue that play if we are to be successful this season.
Head Coach Wade Merry

SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

We have a strong senior class that will lead our team this season. I am excited to watch their leadership and play some great golf. Our other returners will have the opportunity be in new roles which is exciting and I am looking forward to seeing their progression. We also have a talented freshman who I believe will contribute to our team’s success this season.
Head Coach Ross Webskowski
Berkley is a strong leader on our team. She is an experienced golfer who is successful because of her competitiveness and passion to win. Her positive and welcoming personality make her a great leader as she is a joy to be around and connects well with those around her. I am excited to see her compete at a high level this season.
Head Coach Ross Webskowski

WAYNE STATE COLLEGE

We have six players returning that logged time with our top five squad from 2025. The group has a lot of talent and familiarity with each other. We are expecting them to be a connected and competitive group this year in the conference and region. They will be an exciting group to watch with players 1-5 in the lineup having the ability to lead the team in an event.
Head Coach Nick Swaney
We are really excited to watch Gaia's progression with our program this year. She had a great spring last year and kept getting more comfortable in the college golf setting. I believe she can make a step forward this year and become a confident and competitive player in the region.
Head Coach Nick Swaney

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

The Warriors return 5 players that started last season and all played in the NSIC Championship. With 12 total players on our roster, 6 returning and 6 incoming freshmen. Though we have a very young team we are expecting to compete at a high level. We will have a very competitive environment amongst our own team for playing time and are expecting that competition to support our efforts in tournaments. Its a great day to be a Warrior!
Head Coach Jeff Straight
Kessa is a three-year starter and the only senior on our roster this season. She has worked extremely hard on her game over the summer and is primed to have a great season. She has a fabulous attitude and can easily keep herself in the present while playing. Kessa is a top performer in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA majoring in chemistry. As the Captain Kessa will great job leading our young Warrior squad.
Head Coach Jeff Straight
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