JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — After winning the South Atlantic Conference Women’s Golf Championship in its first year of competition last season, the Carson-Newman Lady Eagles have their sights set on repeating in 2010.

With nearly her entire roster back from a year ago, C-N head coach Holly Cantwell Clark knows it will be difficult but believes her squad has all the pieces in place for another championship run.

“We would love to bring home another SAC title,” Clark said. “We know in order to do that we have to look at the season one tournament at a time, continue to challenge ourselves, prepare well for each tournament and be the best team when the time comes.”

“The girls know that they will have to work hard mentally and physically on their games so they can put themselves in position to win.”

The Lady Eagles open their spring schedule on Monday in the Newberry College Invitational. The two-day tournament will be held at Moss Creek Golf Club in Hilton Head, S.C.

“We are starting the spring season off with a great tournament on a tough course against a challenging field,” Clark said. “I am excited to see how the girls compete under pressure after being out of competition for a couple of months.”

C-N played well during the fall portion of its schedule as it finished in the top five in all five events, including two first place finishes.

“The girls had a great fall, and I think it has given them a sense of confidence and a motivation to work harder for the spring,” Clark said. “They are realizing their potential individually and as a team. It is exciting to watch them take ownership of their games. They know where they need to step up their games to be ready for the championship season.”

C-N returns four out of the five golfers that participated in the SAC Championship last season, including SAC medalist Sarah Jane Sinard (Jefferson City, Tenn.). Sinard, who leads the conference in scoring average (74), had a strong start to her senior campaign in the fall with four top five finishes, including two wins.

“I think she is going to have a successful senior year,” Clark said of Sinard. “She is working hard to be a better and smarter player from 150 yards in. I like her confidence. Sarah Jane worked hard during the off-season on her short game and I think it is going to pay off.”

Junior Jessica Tarbet (Knoxville, Tenn.) also had a strong fall season with three top five finishes, including a second place showing in the Maryville College Invitational.

“Jessica Tarbet has been playing very solid golf this winter,” Clark said. “She made big swing changes during the offseason that I think initially made her uneasy, but I think she is glad she made the changes that she did. Jessica is much more confident in her game this semester and she is driven to succeed.”

Sophomores Erica Ray (Maryville, Tenn.) and Jennifer Oliver (Knoxville, Tenn.) and freshman Melanie Manis (Louisville, Tenn.) all had top 10 finishes in the fall. Ray led the way with three, while Manis and Oliver had two and one, respectively.

Junior Leah Hagedorn (Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.) will also be expected to contribute for the Lady Eagles in the spring.

C-N will wrap up its spring schedule in the Tusculum College Agnis McAmis Invitational on April 12-13 in Greeneville, Tenn. The Lady Eagles will then defend their conference title in the SAC Championship on April 19-20 at the Etowah Valley Country Club in Etowah, N.C.