The SVSU Women's Golf team had an impressive fall, competing in six tournaments overall. The Cardinals claimed two victories at the Ferris State Lady Bulldog Fall Invitational and the Mike Lalaeff Memorial Invitational. The team had another pair of top-five finishes, coming in with a fourth place finish at the Davenport Panther Invitational and a fifth place showing at the SVSU Fall Invitational.
Saginaw Valley got a medalist performance from Sabrina Coffman at the Lady Bulldog Fall Invitational and another from Emily Barker at the Lalaeff Memorial Invitational. It was the first collegiate victories for both student-athletes in their Cardinal career.
From Women's Golf Head Coach Joe Vogl...
"After the fall season dust settled, we found ourselves in the 12th spot in the region. To qualify for postseason play, you have to be top 12 in the region. This was the fourth year since inception of the Women's Golf team and we were feeling pretty good about our chances in making it to the regionals for the first time ever. In fact, we felt we had a great chance through the spring season to get inside the top 10 in the region. We had really good January & February practice sessions in the Eastland Golf Center leading up to our early March spring trip. On that trip, we put in six straight solid days of working on our games in Florida and we were "pumped" to get things started on March 13th in Georgetown, Kentucky at a tournament we were hosting. Then, on March 12th, the NCAA put an end to all spring sports and with that, our chance for a "first time ever." I feel really bad for our two graduating seniors who could have had a chance to experience postseason play, but never will."
SVSU Women's Golf Seniors
Hometown - Lake Odessa, Michigan
Major - Pre-Pharmacy
She earned team MVP honors that first season and is a four-time Academic All-American. She helped lead the team to four top-five finishes this past fall, including victories at the FSU Lady Bulldog Invitational and the Mike Lalaeff Memorial Invitational. Barker picked up her first collegiate victory at the Lalaeff Memorial Invite as well. Barker is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well.
Emily's favorite spot on campus is the SVSU Fieldhouse in the Ryder Center, which also houses the Eastland Golf Center.
Barker's favorite memories while competing for the Cardinals were all of the practice rounds where she got the opportunity to play along with her teammates, especially when they all hit improbable shots that they had no business even attempting. Her favorite road trip was when the team was on its way to compete in the NC4K Classic in Ohio. There was a charity event to take place after the practice round where the team would compete in a dance competition. They spent most of the trip finding the perfect song.
Emily enjoys running as a hobby, with it serving as a great way to challenge her outside of golf and the classroom.
Barker will graduate in May 2020 and is set to attend the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.
SVSU Women's Golf Head Coach Joe Vogl on Emily Barker...
"Emily was my first recruit into the newly established Women's Golf Team four years ago. She was the cornerstone as we built from there. I was drawn to M for her high academics, a pretty good high school player, a respected leader and at the time, a Pre-Med major (now Pre-Pharmacy). She has exceeded everything I was expecting out of our first recruit. A four time Academic All-American, and one of the best and most determined personalities you'll ever meet. SVSU couldn't ask for a better ambassador!"
Hometown - Jackson, Michigan
Major - Exercise Science w/ a minor in Psychology
Marston was a 2019 All-GLIAC honoree and was named the team's MVP that season as well. She is a four-time Academic All-American as well and has played in 34 tournaments in her Cardinal career.
Alexa's favorite memory while competing for Saginaw Valley was the last hole on this past spring break trip, where the teams surrounded the green and cheered for the seniors. Little did she know that it would be her last hole ever and it was a pretty special way to remember the last four years.
Marston is set to graduate in August 2020 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science. She has a minor in psychology as well.
Alexa Marston on her time spent competing for SVSU...
"Reflecting on my career feels like an unfinished book. However, all I can say is thank you to Coach Vogl, SVSU Athletics and all of my teammates. This has been the best ride of my life and I definitely wouldn't be who I am without calling myself a student-athlete for the last four years!"
SVSU Women's Golf Head Coach Joe Vogl on Alexa Marston...
"Lexi was another one of our first recruits to the Women's Golf Team four years ago. In fact, she was an anchor as a four year starter who day in and day out, was our most consistent player we've had. Not long off the tee, but very competitive from there on in. With a high GPA, she is no surprise to be a four time Academic All-American. A great personality and she will be an exceptional ambassador for SVSU!"