BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. - Following the second round of play at the Mountain East Spring Classic hosted by the University of Charleston at Edgewood Country Club, the Mountain East Conference today unveiled its 2021-22 postseason awards and all-conference teams for women’s golf.
The All-MEC women’s golf team is selected based on individual performances by players during five rounds of MEC sponsored action during the 2021-22 season. The first three rounds of MEC play took place from Oct. 4-6 at Avalon Golf and Country Club in Warren, Ohio during the 2021 MEC Fall Championships. The final two rounds were played over the last two days at Edgewood Country Club during the 2022 MEC Spring Classic.
Wheeling’s Emily Holzopfel was named the 2021-22 MEC Player of the Year in women’s golf after averaging an 80.8 during the five rounds at MEC events this season. She was joined on the MEC first team by Charleston’s Beatrice Dietz, West Liberty’s Kailey Pettit, Glenville State’s Lizzie Bickar and Grace Halcrow and Davis & Elkins’ Lucrezia Speranza.
In addition to being named to the All-MEC first team, Speranza was also named the MEC Freshman of the Year after leading all freshman with an 83.2 average during MEC rounds this season.
The Charleston duo of McKenzie Dietz and Victoria Witouski were named to the All-MEC second team, along with Wheeling’s Olivia Zampedro, D&E’s Dorothy Romanek, West Liberty’s Alexis Ramby and Glenville’s Avalon Green.
Six MEC standouts also earned MEC honorable mention in 2021-22, including Wheeling’s Nicole Lincicome, Concord’s Mary Denny, Charleston’s Aleigha Hodges, West Virginia Wesleyan’s Carleigh Bolyard, Fairmont State’s Melissa Gregory and Glenville State’s Libby Ward.
Wheeling head coach Sue Vail was named the MEC Coach of the Year after leading the Cardinals to the MEC Fall Championship back in October.
During this week’s MEC Spring Classic, The University of Charleston edged out Glenville State to earn the top spot on the leaderboard. The Golden Eagles won the event by four strokes. UC’s Beatrice Dietz shot an 80 in both rounds to take medalist honors, while Emily Holzopfel, Lizzie Bickhan and Kailey Pettit finished in a three-way tie for second. Concord’s Melinda Goda rounded out the top five.
Mountain East Conference
Women’s Golf Postseason Awards/All-Conference
Player of the Year: Emily Holzopfel, Wheeling
Freshman of the Year: Lucrezia Speranza, Davis & Elkins
Coach of the Year: Sue Vail, Wheeling
First Team
Emily Holzopfel, Wheeling (Player of the Year)
Beatrice Dietz, Charleston
Kailey Pettit, West Liberty
Lizzie Bickar, Glenville State
Lucrezia Speranza, Davis & Elkins (Freshman of the Year)
Grace Halcrow, Glenville State
Second Team
McKenzie Dietz, Charleston
Olivia Zampedro, Wheeling
Dorothy Romanek, Davis & Elkins
Alexis Ramby, West Liberty
Victoria Witouski, Charleston
Avalon Green, Glenville State
Honorable Mention
Nicole Lincicome, Wheeling
Mary Denny, Concord
Aleigha Hodges, Charleston
Carleigh Bolyard, West Virginia Wesleyan
Melissa Gregory, Fairmont State
Libby Ward, Glenville State