Women’s Golf Enters Season With Confidence, Experience
9/2/2026 11:24:00 AM | Women's Golf
CONWAY – Entering her 19th season leading the Coastal Carolina women's golf program, head coach Katie Quinney has plenty of reasons to be excited about what lies ahead.
After navigating a season with a relatively young roster a year ago, the Chanticleers return a group that is now more experienced, more comfortable and ready to take the next step.
"I'm honestly extremely excited about this group," Quinney said.
Varatkarn Kunkaew, Carla Bourdeaux and Aoife Devaney headline the group of returners expected to play a significant role this season. With another year of experience under their belts, Quinney believes the Chants have developed the familiarity needed to thrive over a long season.
"They're comfortable with the schedule, they rely on each other, they're comfortable with the coaching staff, they're going to be ready to rip it," Quinney said.
Coastal will also welcome Celeste Mangeat, a transfer from Maryland, who Quinney believes has already made an immediate impression within the program.
"I've never had a player fit in that seamlessly," Quinney said.
Mangeat's addition gives the Chanticleers another experienced piece as they look to build a deeper and more competitive lineup heading into the season.
That experience is not limited to the team's veterans. Kate Ryan and Anna Brehm both made significant strides following their freshman seasons, giving Coastal even more depth as the lineup continues to take shape.
"Everybody seems to be heading in the right direction," Quinney said.
The Chanticleers also enter the season with valuable postseason experience. Coastal closed last season competing in the National Women's Golf Invitational in Arizona, giving the group its first opportunity to compete together in the postseason.
"That was an incredible experience because it was the first time they were able to compete in the postseason together," Quinney said.
The experience provided a valuable lesson in what it takes to perform when the stakes are highest. The Chants embraced the opportunity, learned from it and now enter the season motivated to take the next step and reach the NCAA Regional Championships.
That motivation was evident throughout the summer, even as the team battled the heat during practices. According to Quinney, the players were frequently requesting tee times and continued to put in the work despite the conditions.
The team will also benefit from the addition of former Coastal player Lena Spainhour as an assistant coach. Having previously played in the program, Spainhour brings an immediate level of trust and familiarity to the team.
Quinney believes that connection will be especially valuable for the players as they continue to build confidence.
"I think everyone is so pumped," Quinney said. "This is such a good group. They're nothing but nice, respectful, hard-working, they do everything you ask of them."
That confidence will be tested throughout a challenging schedule. Coastal will compete in the Route 66 Invitational in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while also bringing the Olde Stone Collegiate back to its schedule. The Chanticleers will close the regular season with two of their toughest tests at the Olde Stone Collegiate at The Club at Olde Stone and the City of Oaks Collegiate at Lonnie Poole Golf Club.
"We will basically play two of the hardest courses there are in college golf to end the regular season," Quinney said.
The goal is to use those challenges to prepare the Chanticleers for the Sun Belt Championship.
"When we get to the Sun Belt Championship, it'll feel so comfortable, nothing will be scary," Quinney said.
For Coastal, success will come down to consistency. From September through April, every tournament matters and every result can impact the team's postseason aspirations.
The Chanticleers' focus will remain on toughness, confidence and trusting the process.
"As we continue to build confidence and momentum, there's no ceiling," Quinney said.
After navigating a season with a relatively young roster a year ago, the Chanticleers return a group that is now more experienced, more comfortable and ready to take the next step.
"I'm honestly extremely excited about this group," Quinney said.
Varatkarn Kunkaew, Carla Bourdeaux and Aoife Devaney headline the group of returners expected to play a significant role this season. With another year of experience under their belts, Quinney believes the Chants have developed the familiarity needed to thrive over a long season.
"They're comfortable with the schedule, they rely on each other, they're comfortable with the coaching staff, they're going to be ready to rip it," Quinney said.
Coastal will also welcome Celeste Mangeat, a transfer from Maryland, who Quinney believes has already made an immediate impression within the program.
"I've never had a player fit in that seamlessly," Quinney said.
Mangeat's addition gives the Chanticleers another experienced piece as they look to build a deeper and more competitive lineup heading into the season.
That experience is not limited to the team's veterans. Kate Ryan and Anna Brehm both made significant strides following their freshman seasons, giving Coastal even more depth as the lineup continues to take shape.
"Everybody seems to be heading in the right direction," Quinney said.
The Chanticleers also enter the season with valuable postseason experience. Coastal closed last season competing in the National Women's Golf Invitational in Arizona, giving the group its first opportunity to compete together in the postseason.
"That was an incredible experience because it was the first time they were able to compete in the postseason together," Quinney said.
The experience provided a valuable lesson in what it takes to perform when the stakes are highest. The Chants embraced the opportunity, learned from it and now enter the season motivated to take the next step and reach the NCAA Regional Championships.
That motivation was evident throughout the summer, even as the team battled the heat during practices. According to Quinney, the players were frequently requesting tee times and continued to put in the work despite the conditions.
The team will also benefit from the addition of former Coastal player Lena Spainhour as an assistant coach. Having previously played in the program, Spainhour brings an immediate level of trust and familiarity to the team.
Quinney believes that connection will be especially valuable for the players as they continue to build confidence.
"I think everyone is so pumped," Quinney said. "This is such a good group. They're nothing but nice, respectful, hard-working, they do everything you ask of them."
That confidence will be tested throughout a challenging schedule. Coastal will compete in the Route 66 Invitational in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while also bringing the Olde Stone Collegiate back to its schedule. The Chanticleers will close the regular season with two of their toughest tests at the Olde Stone Collegiate at The Club at Olde Stone and the City of Oaks Collegiate at Lonnie Poole Golf Club.
"We will basically play two of the hardest courses there are in college golf to end the regular season," Quinney said.
The goal is to use those challenges to prepare the Chanticleers for the Sun Belt Championship.
"When we get to the Sun Belt Championship, it'll feel so comfortable, nothing will be scary," Quinney said.
For Coastal, success will come down to consistency. From September through April, every tournament matters and every result can impact the team's postseason aspirations.
The Chanticleers' focus will remain on toughness, confidence and trusting the process.
"As we continue to build confidence and momentum, there's no ceiling," Quinney said.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Wednesday, April 28
Wednesday, April 28
Tuesday, May 12
