Spring teams aim high as seasons start
Seven University of North Georgia (UNG) athletic teams start their spring seasons with high goals in 2023.
The UNG softball team is coming off an NCAA Division II Final Four appearance and the men's golf team is off its first NCAA Division II championship appearance to headline the spring sports, but all five other teams have a chance to make a major impact this year.
"As both of our basketball programs and the rifle team wrap up strong winter seasons, we are excited for our spring sports to continue our momentum," Mary Rob Plunkett, UNG director of athletics, said. "They all have a chance to compete at the highest levels in both the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and nationally."
Here's a quick look at what to expect:
Softball
Head coach Mike Davenport's 2022 team compiled a 49-18 overall record and a 20-4 PBC regular-season mark and earned PBC, Regional and Super Regional titles in the postseason.
This year's group opens the season with games Feb. 4-5 against University of West Alabama, Florida Tech and Rollins College in Gulf Shores, Alabama. UNG's home slate begins Feb. 11-12 with two games each against King and Florida Southern.
Baseball
Head coach Tom Cantrell's program was 31-22 overall and 16-11 in PBC play in 2022.
The 2023 team starts its campaign with 13 consecutive home games, including the season-opening three-game series Feb. 3-5 against Mars Hill University.
Track and field
Head coach Chris England's group took a program-best second-place finish at the 2022 PBC championship.
This year's group opens the season March 3 at the University of Tampa Distance Classic in Tampa, Florida.
Tennis
Head coach Kent Norsworthy's men's and women's tennis teams each earned a first-round NCAA tournament victory, and they both earned 15 total wins in 2022. The women were 6-1 and the men 4-2 in PBC play.
Both teams begin this spring Feb. 3 at Emanuel College before their Feb. 5 home openers against Carson-Newman University.
Golf
Head coach Bryson Worley's men's golf team will aim to build off its historic NCAA Division II championship appearance, and junior Maddie Ananthasane returns for women's golf head coach Sierra Campbell after winning PBC individual titles her first two years.
The men tee off their spring season Feb. 13-14 in the Spring Kickoff Intercollegiate at St. John Country Club in St. Augustine, Florida. Then, from Feb. 20-21, the UNG women begin the spring in the Florida Southern College Lady Mocs Classic at Grasslands Golf & Country Club in Lakeland, Florida.
UNG will host the PBC men's and women's golf championships April 21-23 at Forest Hills Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia.
Get all the latest information on each team on the UNG Athletics webpage.
Softball team wins PBC, will host NCAA regional
The UNG softball team secured its first Peach Belt Conference tournament title in three seasons and will be the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.
Baseball team earns NCAA tourney bid
The UNG baseball team has earned a spot in the NCAA Division II tournament and opens the event against Francis Marion at 2 p.m. May 14 in Tigerville, South Carolina.
Garnett aims to make an impact on others
UNG men's soccer student-athlete Max Garnett seeks to set an example through showing up for others. He graduates this spring and will start his graduate studies at UNG.
Tennis teams reach NCAA tournament
Both UNG tennis teams have earned berths in the NCAA Division II tournament. It is the women's ninth consecutive NCAA bid and the men's seventh in a row.