By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

ARLINGTON, Texas - The UT Arlington sports year was filled with upsets, championships, buzzer-beaters and memorable performances that will go down in Maverick history.

Leading up to the 2016-17 seasons beginning with UTA volleyball in August, UTA Athletics is making sure we do not forget the accomplishments of the past season. Running from June through August, we will be counting down the top-15 moments and performances with "Best of 2015-16" features.

Moment No. 6: Women's golf signs first two signees

The first drive off the tee may still be a year away for the inaugural season of UT Arlington women's golf, but the program has already started to write its history. UTA coach Stuart Deane announced the signing of Allison Wade and Rachel Phillips as the program's first-ever signees on Dec. 2, 2016.

The Lady Mavericks begin play in 2017-18 and the pair will redshirt their first year at UTA.

"When I met both Allison and Rachel, the thing that impressed me was they're both incredibly hardworking," Deane said. "They both have great golf games and the fact that they were willing to come and redshirt their first year to get settled in the UTA way of life gives me a year to work on their game.

"When we start out in 2017 in our first event, they'll both be leaders of the team. They will have been here and as we fill a team with new recruits, they can set the standards for the golf program.

Phillips joins UTA after spending two seasons at McLennan Community College and competed on numerous tours that include the USGA Qualifiers, Women's Texas Golf Association, Texas Collegiate Amateur Tour, Collegiate Players Tour and Northern Texas Junior PGA, where she became a champion in 2014.

"It feels really cool to be one of the first women's golfers here because it's a new program and you don't get that chance in very many places," Phillips said on her signing day. "It's Division I and you can set the tone for women's golf here forever."

Wade, an Arlington Martin High School senior, is familiar with UTA and felt comfortable with the area, Deane and the university itself.

"It feels amazing to be able to start a program that's going to be here for a long time," Wade said. "As Rachel said, you don't get this opportunity very often, so I'm really excited."

The Fort Worth product began golfing her freshman year in high school and is a member of The First Tee junior golf program. In her three-year career, Wade has already been accepted into the International Junior Golf Academy Training Camp and was named the individual champion in her district tournament in April.