Michael Pleasant is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Xavier College Preparatory for AZPreps365.com

 Xavier College Prep extended its win streak to 11 and remained undefeated on the season after Wednesday’s 156-184 win over Mountain Ridge. 

Xavier golf coach Tui Selvaratnam was impressed with the mental toughness her girls showed on the Phoenix Country Club course.

“They hung in there,” Selvaratnam said. “Our number one player is not here, Ashley Menne, but they hung in there and we were able see how they can do.”

 Menne is competing this week at the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship in Pebble Beach, California.

That did not stop Xavier from performing well as the Gators as a team averaged a 3-over-par 39.  Their top player was sophomore Ivy Song, who shot  a 2-over-par 38.

Song said that she was able to rebound after couple errant shots on the par-4 fifth hole and par-4 sixth hole.

“Today I think I did well to get back on my feet affter a couple of mishits,” she said. “Definitely focusing on my next shot.”

Being able to bounce back mentally after a rough hole is something that Song has showed her team she can do.

“She has a very strong mind,” Selvaratnam said. “She is able to forget what she did from the previous hole and concentrate on the hole at hand.”

Song rebounded after those two mishits by shooting for birdie and par on the par-5 seventh hole and par-3 eighth hole.

The ability to adjust from hole to hole and the decision-making before you take your first shot is what can be the difference between winning and losing. 

Mountain Ridge coach Gavin Tolan said his girls are improving in the pre-shot thinking process.

“I think they are getting better at decision-making on their shots,” Tolan said. “They are thinking about what shot to hit before they get to the ball, rather than just walking up there and hitting the ball.”

The course played a little different than usual due to the fact that the Phoenix Country Club is getting prepared to host the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Mountain Ridge freshman Allie Sullivan, who shot 3-over-par 39,  said she enjoyed how the course played.

“I liked it. It wasn’t hard, but it wasn’t too easy also,” Sullivan said.

Song said the course was a little harder because the grass was taller. 

“I needed to do better at adapting to the course and the new conditions,” Song said. “I think the course is really nice, but it’s just not what we are used to since they are getting ready for the Charles Schwab Cup.”

Mountain Ridge's next match will be the Prescott Invitational on Sept. 27 at the Antelope Hills Golf Course.

Xavier will look to build on its 11-match win streak when the Gators play their rescheduled league match against Mountain View on Sept. 30 at the Camelback Golf Club.