"We’ve got good senior leadership, an all-conference performer and some players whose games are beginning to click," said McNamara. "We’ll see if we can put it all together over the course of the season."

Junior Lynsey Barnard (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) was the surprise of the MWC Championships last fall, playing in only one meet prior to the 72-hole conference tournament. Barnard’s 10th place finish made her the first all-conference Scot since Kacie Parge earned the honor in 2004.

"Lynsey really put the time in over the summer," praised McNamara. "She’s a naturally-gifted golfer and a great competitor. That’s a pretty good combination."

Barnard touts a well-rounded game – hitting greens in regulation with nice approach shots combined with a good putter giving her many opportunities for birdies. McNamara expects her all-conference returner to be among the team’s top scorers.

McNamara also expects good things from the squad’s two seniors – Jessica Sackville (Aledo, Ill./Aledo) and Heidi Hartshorn (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah). The two veterans should be among the scoring groups in most meets.

Hartshorn has added distance off the tee which McNamara reports has improved her confidence. Sackville, meanwhile, is described as a long hitter off the tee with a good stroke.

"I expect Heidi and Jessica to use their experience to have a good senior season," said McNamara. "Both have been very consistent in practice and are showing a lot of confidence in their ability."

A sophomore, Kristin Humphrey (Polo, Ill./Polo), has impressed her coach in the early practice, firing two career-bests in the first week of practice. McNamara credits Humphrey’s short game as reason for improvement and expects her sophomore to post a team score in nearly every meet.

Junior Kendra Catterton’s (Moline, Ill./Moline) game has "clicked" and that gives her the inside track as the fifth player. Catterton’s game continues to improve each year. McNamara believes her hard work over the summer has made the difference.

"Kendra’s hard work since her freshman year is beginning to pay off," claimed her coach. "She’s scored for us in some practice rounds and that’s helping her confidence. I think she will continue to contribute."

Juniors Megan Baum (Wataga, Ill./ROWVA) and Stephanie Arrowsmith (Trivoli, Ill./Farmington) spent a couple of years away from golf but continue to improve since returning to the sport. The Scots coach reports Baum has been scoring well in the early going. Arrowsmith has been consistent, but a little work on her putting stroke could make her a challenger for a scoring spot.

Sophomore Katy Olds (Princeton, Ill./Bureau Valley) and freshmen Victoria Green (Pittsfield, Ill./Pittsfield) and Lanae Hoffman (Kinderhook, Ill./Western) round out McNamara’s group. Any one of the group could make a run at a scoring spot by season’s end.

When the Scots won the conference title McNamara’s senior year, they broke Knox’s four-year stranglehold on the crown. Since that time, Illinois College has reeled off five straight titles. McNamara is hoping this year’s Scots can repeat history, crowning themselves conference champions while ending an opponent’s title streak.