Athens Drive has developed into a powerhouse in girls golf, finishing second in last year's N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A championships after back-to-back state titles.

The Jaguars are led by junior Sarah Bae, who finished tied for sixth in the 4-A championships last year with a two-day score of 153 and a victory in the Eastern Regional.

Bae is making a name for herself on the youth golf circuit as well, winning two tournaments this summer.

But even Bae, who averaged 35.8 strokes per nine holes in conference matches, wasn't Tri-Nine player of the year last season.

That went to teammate Mande Monchick (Bae missed three conference matches, which was not enough to qualify for player of the year running).

Monchick, a senior, tied for 17th in the state 4-A finals with a two-day score of 163. She averaged 37.6 strokes per nine holes last year in conference matches.

Athens returns a third all-conference golfer and state qualifier in senior Hilary Gugig (39.1 per nine hole stroke average). Gugig's third-place finish at last year's 4-A regional gave Athens a sweep of the top three spots and a 29-stroke win.

The Jaguars also return a fourth state qualifier in sophomore Jackie Wallace.

Middle Creek returns Betsy Dohrer and Kennedy Smith, who keyed the Mustangs' eighth-place finish at the 4-A championships.

The two are joined by veterans Mackenzie Williams, Britney Smith and Katlyn West.

Middle Creek was one of three teams to win a Tri-Nine match last season.

Michelle Turner of Green Hope helped the Falcons to a second-place finish in last year's Tri-Nine.

Green Hope finished second in eight conference matches and won one.

Turner is the only senior on the team, but the Falcons are also returning four other players, including Maddie Lee.

Apex, which finished fourth in the Tri-Nine last year, returns both of its state qualifiers in senior Kat Jessick and junior Cari Albritton.

Holly Springs returns one of its two state qualifiers in senior Raven Brown.

Cary Christian's Mary-Katelynn Holanek competes on the national level during the summer.

However, the Lady Knights are one of the few N.C. High School Independent Schools Association members to have a girls golf team, and there is no NCISAA girls golf championship.

Staff writer Tim Stevens contributed to this report.