Falcons end season strong

The girls' golf team ended its 2013 season with wins against both Monta Vista and Wilcox on Oct. 14. The girls’ triumph concluded a 7-7 season. 

The Falcons were led by junior No. 1 player Vivian Roan with a 40 and supported with 42s from senior No. 2 player Sachi Verma and sophomore No. 5 player Carrie Chen.  

“I played better than my average,” Verma said. “Especially because it was our last match of the entire season, the whole team tried hard, and there was a lot of positive energy and everyone was happy. I am satisfied with [our] last game.”

Previously in the season, the golfers lost two close matches before winning their final one against Monta Vista and Wilcox. They lost a match against Los Gatos on Oct. 9 by eight strokes and also lost the match on Oct. 6 against Homestead by three strokes. 

Last year, the team had a record of 13-1. After 2013 graduates Samika Kumar and Sara Pettersson moved on, the team struggled to score low. 

Verma is concerned that next year will be even more difficult because top players like her and Zabrina Chang  are graduating this year. 

“I think it'll take a while for us to get back to where we were [last year],” Verma said. 

However, Chen hopes that they can improve scores next year and has set her own goals to contribute to that effort.

“I think the team will get better next year,” Chen said. “This year was kind of tough. My goals for next year are to improve my putting skills. And hopefully I will improve my overall playing by next year.”

Although the golfer’s record has declined, their teamwork has improved. Verma is a veteran on the team, and she has noticed a new unity among its members. 

“I think this year our team was a lot closer,” Verma said. “Last year, there were a lot of new kids [but] now we know each other a lot better.”

According to Chen, who joined the team this season as a sophomore, the girls’ golf team is different from other sports teams because of their unity. 

“I feel like golf team is together,” Chen said. “I’ve been on other teams that feel not as together, [and] the golf team is closer.”

According to Verma, the golf team enjoys its lasting friendships through shared jokes. 

“Whenever Carrie’s ball goes under [a] tree, we all yell ‘Carrie, under wood,’” Verma said.  

The Falcons played in League Finals on Oct. 22, but did not play well enough to move on.