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With the DAL tournament set to begin on Oct. 17 at the Delta View Golf course in Pittsburg, Scott's Dons have posted a 2-4 record. The star of Acalanes' lineup is senior Emily Attiyeh.
"The way she's playing this year, she's definitely stepped it up a notch," Scott said. "Her game is just better this year than it's been any other year - just more consistent."
Acalanes No. 1 player, who finished fourth overall at the Poppy Ridge Tournament in Livermore on Sept. 19, figures to advance deep into the NCS playoffs. She's also helped anchor a youthful Dons lineup.
"We've got a young team and we will lose Emily at the end of this season, but we've got three sophomores that are really improving and serious about their game," Scott said. "We'll be even better next year, as a team because one person does not make a team."
The Dons lost 249-240 to Campolindo on Sept. 28 at Moraga Country Club and fell a day later to Northgate, 201-160, at Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek.
Like the Dons, the Cougars have been playing an unusually young team this fall, as five freshman have made it into the lineup.
"I jokingly tell the them that freshman don't play in varsity matches until the end of the season - if at all," head coach Gary O'Neill said with a chuckle. "And I was playing them right from the beginning."
Despite the influx of young players, Campolindo also has a quartet of senior leaders. Valerie Rockwell, who won all-league honors during her sophomore season, is one of the team's two senior captains, along with Stephanie Alderete.
Paris Thomas and Haleigh Goett are the other two seniors on the team. Goett, who first emerged last fall, posted the team's best score of the season - four-over par - at Boundary Oak on Sept. 22.
"She is a testament to working hard, developing your game and having the results come accordingly," O'Neill said. "It's been fun to watch her."
The group - heavy on first-year players - has compiled a 2-4 league record (2-6 overall) record after beating Acalanes on Sept. 28 in Moraga.
Miramonte also has five freshmen on its team this year. The roster includes 17 players overall, which is the largest in program history, according to co-head coach Bob Riddell.
With the postseason approaching, seniors Tori James and Franny Caronna, and junior Tiffany Shinn have been the Mats' leading players while freshmen Katie Ingrey and Kaydee Tu have also impressed.
After losing to Northgate 207-232 on Sept. 27, Miramonte has a 3-2 record in DAL play and a 5-2 record overall. Both of the Mats' losses have come against Northgate - the conference powerhouse.
With matches against Las Lomas and Acalanes still on the schedule, the Mats are aiming to catch Northgate for the top spot in the Foothill Division of the DAL.
"We hope to finish the season with a strong showing in the league and NCS tournaments and to continue to improve our play," Riddell said.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA