ARLINGTON, Texas - After a historical first-ever season of UT Arlington women's golf in 2017-18, the Mavericks hit the links for the 2018-19 opener on Friday at The Lady Maxwell in Ardmore, Okla.

The three-day tournament, hosted at Dornick Hills by Oral Roberts, will see the Mavericks take on several in-state rivals, Sun Belt foes and a mix of teams from throughout the area.

"It is hitting the ground running," UTA women's associate head coach Catherine Matranga said. "It is a small field his week. There are not a lot of teams but they are all ranked ahead of us. I think they are going to come out this week and show a lot of grit and determination out of them. They are a feisty group and I am excited to see them all put it together and see who takes the leadership and the role that they will be in that five. Any one of them can do it and there is a lot grit in the group."

Representing UTA's team score in the opener, Sydney Garber, Elena Kim, Kate Tran, Madigan Murray and Janane Tan will tee it up against Texas State and Troy from the SBC, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin and UTSA from Texas, while the host are also joined with Missouri State. Abby Adams and Connor Howard will be competing as individuals. 

For Matranga, the first event of the season is a chance to see what her team has this season and how they handle the pressure to be a part of the regular five throughout.

While the experienced Mavs are getting a second go at the collegiate level, it also marks the first events for several newcomers. 

"It is a big step up for them," Matranga said of the freshmen going from high school to collegiate competition. "They feel that it is a whole new world. We try to just get them to go out and play golf. They know how to play, that's why they are here. We just want them to go out and do what they do. They just need to play their game and I think that the freshmen coming are going to be good at that this year. They don't show too many nerves. It being so fast, there isn't a lot of time to over think it."