SAN FRANCISCO – In its follow-up to a season that saw Anahi Servin capture the NCAA Division II National Championship, Academy of Art women's golf carried a bit of a new look with two new freshman and first-year Head Coach Beth Allen at the helm during the Urban Knights 2022-23 campaign. ART U ultimately showed impressive depth with five different student-athletes leading the team in 10 tournaments including a runner-up finish for one Knight at the Pacific West Conference Championship Tournament to conclude the run.

"My first season at ART U has been a huge learning experience and I have enjoyed every minute," Allen said. "My main focus with this squad was implementing a more structured culture to ensure that these talented players were prepared for our events. I tried to tap into my experience as a former collegiate athlete and tour player and share with them what I think it takes to be the best that they can be."

Beginning with Dominican's Birdie Fest at Peacock Gap Golf Club in San Rafael, Academy of Art was initially led by one of its newest faces, freshman Nicole Yang, on the first day before junior Napat "Plern" Rattanaprakarn's 2-over-73 moved her into the team's top spot on Sept. 13.

From there, ART U would better four other teams in the Westminster Wasatch Invitational where strong final rounds from Yang and junior Tessa Geenen combined with a top-25 result for Rattanaprakarn as the Knights took eighth overall in Utah. The fall season wrapped up in Dallas with the West Regional Preview as the tandem of Yang and senior Jae Eun Park shared the squad lead following steady work by the former and the latter's 1-over-par 73 on the last day.

Returning to Texas for its first action of 2023, Academy of Art started the Jack Brown Memorial with Geenen leading the way and closed with the Advertising major in 11th overall while the team placed seventh. ART U then competed in California for the first time since opening the season and yet another Knight was out in front as freshman Maddie Elias' 1-over-par 73 placed her third overall at a weather-shortened Bay Area Invitational in Stockton.

"It came as no surprise to me that a variety of our players had outstanding finishes in 2022-23," Allen said. "I think it shows the talent that this team has and I am excited to see what the future holds. The goal is for all of the players to gain a bit more consistency with hopes that, in our biggest events, everyone can rise to the occasion at the same time. When that happens, we will see some great results."

Though inclement weather would hold the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout to a single round, Academy of Art again had one among the leaders with Rattanaprakarn making the All-Tournament Team after her fourth-place finish out of 96 golfers. The Urban Knights fought through more cold, windy, and rainy conditions in the DBU Invitational before topping four other teams in the Pebble Beach on Mar. 21.

ART U's penultimate regular season competition, the San Marcos Shootout in Temecula, opened with a solid first round from junior Valeria Ruiz then Park and Yang both wrapped up the 36 holes inside the field's top 10 in the Mar. 28 finale. In the team's last tune-up before the PacWest Tournament, Elias finished in the upper tier of the collection of more than 100 golfers in the WT Desert Invite.

"Of course, there were ups and downs, but as a whole, I think that our spring season was full of promise," Allen said. "With this experience now under my belt and knowing that my players have a better understanding of what to expect next season, I have no doubt that success is in our future."

Visiting Arizona for the second time in April, Academy of Art began the PacWest Conference Championship Tournament with Park playing some of her best golf of the season. The Fashion Marketing major was just three strokes from the leader after day one, tied for the top position two rounds in, and ended a single stroke shy of the individual victory, taking second overall and being joined by Elias on the All-Tournament Team in the year's conclusion.

"I am really looking forward to the 2023-24 season already," Allen said. "Jae had a fantastic finish at PacWest and I know that this built her confidence up greatly. I will be leaning on our four seniors (Tessa, Valeria, Plern, and Jae) to use their experience to help lead the team."

With its full roster set to return this fall, the Urban Knights' next campaign will certainly be one to watch.

"I am really grateful for the opportunity to help guide these student-athletes to greatness and have really high hopes for the program next season and for many years to come," Allen said.