The table is set for the Aberdeen Central girls’ golf team this spring.

The Golden Eagles are talented, experienced, and highly motivated as they head into the upcoming season.

“I think with any sports season you’re very excited, you’re very optimistic, whether you have a veteran team coming back or you have basically a young, new team coming back. It’s just a sign of optimism,” said Central coach Kim Zimmerman. “With our team that we have coming back from last year and where we finished last year, I’m very excited to get the season going this week in terms of competition. I think the girls are too, ready to get out and kind of pick up where we left off last year.”

The squad has a potent line up led by state tourney runner-up Olivia Braun. Emma Dohrer was 10th a year ago, Kyley Wirebaugh was 15th, and Chloe Vikander was 19th.

While the Golden Eagles finished third at state and at the Eastern South Dakota Conference tourney, they fell short of the ultimate goals.

“I kind of a have a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth and I think the girls do too, after last year,” Zimmerman said. “We had high expectations, very high goals. There’s nothing wrong with third at state and third at ESD, but at the same time we were very close individually and as a team in doing better than what we did last year.”

There won’t be many teams in the state that can match Central’s quality depth and potential. It’s easy to see why expectations will be lofty again this season.

“I’m biased, but in my opinion, Olivia Braun is the best female golfer in the state. You can back that up with Emma Dohrer and Kyley Wirebaugh, which could be number ones on any given team in any given year. I really feel like we have three number ones,” Zimmerman said. “Chloe has really played well so far this spring. I’m really encouraged by what she has shown so far, so when you have four all-state, all-conference players coming back, there’s reason to be optimistic for sure.”

Central, which does not have a single senior on the roster, will also expect contributions from Kylee Herman, and seventh-graders Carly Withers and Genevieve Golz.

The Golden Eagles have a goal of improving their mental games this season.

“There’s no doubt that there’s things we can do to help them and prepare throughout the course of the season. … Doing pre-shot routines,” Zimmerman said, “you do the same thing repetitively over and over again so when it comes time to hit that shot, you trust it, you’ve done it. You’ve built for that moment.”

That goal will be joined by two others, according to Zimmerman.

“We revisit our goals periodically throughout the year. We set them right now. I had the girls write them down. We talk about them,” Zimmerman said. “The three things that kind of came to the forefront that they all had mentioned in one way, shape or form, is winning, based on what did they last year and where they’re at this year, I mentioned their mental approach, and just being good teammates. I think that goes a long way. I read one time, great teams have great teammates.”

Central starts its season on Thursday at the Harrisburg Invitational.

The Golden Eagles have one home meet this spring, the Hub City Invitational on May 1 at Lee Park Golf Course.

With a loaded roster and the drive to go along with it, the Golden Eagles are excited about the upcoming season.

“I’m just really looking forward to the season and again the optimism the girls have, and I have and everything that’s going forward,” Zimmerman said, “and where we were at last year, and potentially where we could be this year.”