NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion women's golf head coach Mallory Kane announced the addition of two future Monarchs in Faith Garcia and Sarah Mardani on Friday.
That makes three new faces joining the team for 2023-24 as Puneet Bajwa signed back in December.
Faith Garcia | Suffolk, Va. | Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Garcia won't have to go far from home as she was a standout at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. She earned All-State and All-Conference honors as a junior and senior, was named the 2021 VISAA Division Player of the Year, and helped the Saints capture a state championship in 2022. She medaled in more than 90 percent of the team's matches in the past two years.
"Faith is a talented student-athlete with lots of experience succeeding in the classroom and on the golf course," said head coach Mallory Kane. "I am very pleased to add a local player to our roster and look forward to watching Faith develop over the next few years."
Why ODU?
"It has always been my dream to play NCAA Division I golf, and ODU has given me the opportunity to pursue my athletic and academic dreams," said Garcia.
Sarah Mardani | Berkshire, England | Limestone University
Mardani attended Gordon's School in England and is transferring from Limestone University, an NCAA Division II school in Gaffney, South Carolina. She helped the Saints to a No. 14 ranking among NCAA Division II competition this past year and was named to the 2023 South Atlantic Conference All-Conference Team with an average score of 75.32 through nine tournaments and 25 rounds played. She was second on the team with three Top-10 finishes, to include placing fifth at the 2023 Women's Spring Kick-Off Intercollegiate with a six-over par 222. She also shot an 11-over 227 to tie for seventh at The City with Spirit Classic and turned in a three-over 147 to tie for ninth at the Savannah Lakes Invitational.
"Sarah is the perfect fit for our team," Kane continued. "She works hard to be a good student and is a fierce competitor on the golf course. Sarah is excited to represent our team and help us in the pursuit of winning championships."
Why ODU?
"It's simple. ODU feels like home. Coach Kane and all of the golfers made me feel so welcome and part of the family as soon as I stepped on campus. I knew straight away that I will be able to thrive and achieve my goals at ODU."
Women’s Golf Adds Garcia and Mardani
