Red Wolves - IU East

The first chapter of the Indiana University East women's golf story shapes up as a mystery.

The Red Wolves enter their inaugural season facing the typical challenges for a first-year program.

"We are definitely feeling the growing pains," said IU East coach Von Ebeling, whose team opens the 2010 season March 19 at at the Brescia Bearcat Shootout.

The Red Wolves fielded a full team at just one of their three fall competitions and will be short of a full team at their first spring competition.

"Our individual players will have to do the best they can until the reinforcements come in the fall," Ebeling said.

Ebeling says the Red Wolves make up in quality what they lack in quantity.

Freshman Courtney Barlage (Versailles, Ohio/Versailles High School) leads the IU East lineup.

Barlage averaged 90.4 strokes per 18 holes during the fall season.

She also excels in the classroom, where she was valedictorian of her high school class and made the Dean's List during her first semester at IU East.

"Courtney is exactly what I want as a coach for this program," Ebeling said. "She has taken it upon herself to travel and play courses on her own as well as taking private lessons.

"Courtney is always dedicated and uses her intelligence to her advantage."

Ebeling expects Barlage to score in the 70s and finish in the top 10 at most events.

Freshman Kelli Moore (Arcanum, Ohio/Franklin Monroe High School) starts the season as IU East's No. 2 golfer.

Moore balances school and a job and also helps coach her former high school team.

"Kelli is a dedicated player who is punctual about the time she spends practicing and communicating with her coach," Ebeling said.

Ebeling hopes Moore can score in the low 90s or 80s by the end of the season.

Cassie Hofacker, who played with Moore at Franklin Monroe, joins the team for the spring season.

"Cassie made the Dean's List during the first semester and is going to attempt to better her golf game to help the team," Ebeling said,

"I can tell she is a team player, and I look forward to getting to know her better throughout the season."

Freshman Allyson Kenworthy (Hagerstown, Ind./Hagerstown High School) rounds out the IU East lineup.

"She participated on a very successful high school team and knows what it is like to win," Ebeling said. "She has the potential to help the team in the long run."

Ebeling says IU East's current numbers shortage could present an opportunity for prospective student-athletes who want to make an immediate impact on a college golf program.

Ebeling invites potential IU East golfers to fill out the online recruiting form at www.iueredwolves.com.

The Red Wolves' schedule is highlighted by the J.C. Penney Women's Apparel Spring Golf Classic women's tournament hosted by IU East on March 30 at Highland Lake Golf Course.

Six teams, including NCAA Division I and Division II programs, are expected to compete in the 18-hole tournament.

The J.C. Penney Women's Apparel Spring Golf Classic is one of five regular season events for the IU East women in preparation for an NAIA National Championships Qualifying Meet with teams from the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Appalachian Athletic Conference and the Association of Independent Institutions on April 26 and 27 at Fairfield Glade, Tenn.

The KIAC women's golf champion also will be determined at Fairfield Glade. IU East and Brescia University are the only KIAC schools currently sponsoring women's golf.

"It is my ultimate goal to go to the NAIA National Championships Qualifying Meet as a team," Ebeling said. "In order for any school in this unaffiliated tournament to advance, we have to show up as a team."

Click here to view the 2010 IU East women's golf schedule

Click here to view the 2010 IU East women's golf roster