As the 2023-2024 women's golf season begins, Davis & Elkins is looking forward to competing well in the new season under first-year head coach, Patrick Smith.
 
The MEC Preseason Coaches Poll, released Tuesday, has D&E sitting in the fifth position. The Senators finished third in last year's MEC Championships.
 
The University of Charleston, last year's runner-up tops the poll of the MEC's head coaches with 61 points and 5 first-place votes. Close behind is Glenville State, last year's MEC Champions. The Pioneers earned 59 points and 4 first-place votes to finish second in the poll. Wheeling checked in at the third spot and Fairmont State was fourth.
 
Senior, Madelyn St. Mary is the lone returner that competed in last year's MEC Championships. This experience is something Coach Smith will lean on with his young team this year. "Madelyn has been our captain since last year," he said. "She brings great leadership and experience to the team."
 
Kana Hayakawa, another senior on the team, also brings experience and, according to Smith, a great work ethic.
 
Smith feels the biggest challenge his team will face this season is inexperience. There are four freshmen that join the two seniors. Smith shared, "Where we lack experience, we make up for it with quality leadership and we will grow together. The women have a strong connection and we will build the program and enjoy do so."
 
The four freshmen are Marina Saviceva-Noti, Grace Bronkella, Gadea Melgarejo, and Alexis Melgarejo. Each will have an opportunity to contribute immediately.
 
The team tees off Tuesday and Wednesday next week at the Glade Springs Fall Kickoff, hosted by Charleston. They then play at the UC Invitational in Charleston September 11-12 before hosting the Dr. Wally Edgell Invitational at Canaan Valley Resort September 18-19 and then traveling to play in the Pipestem Invitational September 28-29. The MEC Championships will be held October 2-4 in Warren, Ohio.