The Geneva girls golf team is encountering life without Abby much sooner than it envisioned.

Abby Luchtenburg burst onto the area golf scene as one of the elite girls players in the area as a freshman and sophomore before electing not to come out for high school golf as a junior this fall.

While Luchtenburg’s absence is a significant setback, Vikings coach Eric Hatczel has been heartened by the team’s early response.

“I think originally I was kind of curious to see how that would have effect on the girls,” Hatczel said after Monday’s victorious triangular meet against Lake Park and Minooka.

“They obviously miss her being around, she’s a great kid, but I think [Monday] kind of showed them they can still score as a team. It would be great to still have her as an addition and throw that in for our team score but I think that showed with all the hard work they put in this offseason, they have enough depth as a team where we can still be successful.”

Luchtenburg’s even-par 71 at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet last year highlighted an excellent sophomore season that included a berth in the IHSA State Tournament. Hatczel said Luchtenburg and her family decided she would be better served by playing national-level golf events and, by IHSA rule, she could not play in those tournaments while simultaneously competing for her high school team.

Despite losing Luchtenburg, the Vikings carry a solid blend of experience and promising newcomers. Sophomore Mary Clare Novak and senior Katie Kelly both shot rounds of 44 to pace Geneva to Monday’s nine-hole win, while junior Megan Rush and sophomore Nicole Hassels each broke 100 in the team’s first 18-hole round of the season on Tuesday at White Tail Ridge in Yorkville.

“That’s kind of one of the advantages about all the younger girls who have been working on their game so much,” Hactzel said. “Honestly I feel anybody on the roster could step up and be the medalist on the team.”

While Katie Kelly turned in the team’s sharpest showing during tryouts, the Vikings’ most accomplished is returning senior Megan Kelly (not related), a four-year varsity player who qualified for sectionals last season. The Vikings would love to see one of the Kellys help offset the sparkling rounds rival teams are expected to get from their No. 1s – such as St. Charles East’s Paige Jordan and St. Charles North’s Ariana Furrie – but, without Luchtenburg, the Vikings recognize a group effort will be required for success.

Hatczel is optimistic he has the team to deliver on that depth-based approach.

“Last year [the Vikings] had a great finish to the season,” Hactzel said. “We have a lot of momentum coming into this year. Even though the girls would love to have Abby around and as coaches we’d love to have her back as a great kid and good scoring. ... I think our girls have stepped up enough to where they’re going to make it competitive.”

GIRLS GOLFERS TO WATCH

Lauren Anderson, Batavia, So. Anderson saw time in the 2 and 3 slots last season and should become a vital cog for the retooling Bulldogs.

Darby Crane, St. Charles East, Jr. East coach Rod Osborne expects Crane to reliably shoot in the low-to-mid 80s.

Ariana Furrie, St. Charles North, Sr. The reigning Kane County Chronicle Girls Golfer of the Year tied for 15th at last year's Class AA State Meet.

Jessica Grill, St. Charles North, Jr. A second-team All-Area pick as a sophomore, Grill's progression looms large for the North Stars.

Paige Jordan, St. Charles East, Sr. A returning state qualifier, Jordan started her season off right Tuesday by winning the Barrington Invitational with an even-par 71.

Megan Kelly, Geneva, Sr. A four-year varsity player and the Vikings' captain, Kelly qualified for sectionals last year but did not compete (illness).

Jordyn McFarlane, St. Charles North, Sr. McFarlane's round of 83 at regionals last season cemented a solid junior season for North's No. 2.

Jane Noelker, St. Charles East, Sr. Noelker projects to shoot reliably in the 80s for 18 and land in the second or third spot of Saints' lineup.

Sarah Pinns, St. Francis, Sr. Pinns is the top returning player for a Spartans team that advanced to a Class A sectional as a group last season.

Abby Rich, Rosary, Sr. Coming out for the first time this season, Rich has made a strong early impression and should play at or near the top of the lineup alongside junior Victoria Phipps.

GIRLS GOLF TEAMS TO WATCH

Geneva. The Vikings will need their depth to shine to be competitive in the Upstate Eight race. Returnees Megan Kelly, Katie Kelly, Megan Rush and Nicole Hassels will be backed by varsity newcomers Mary Clare Novak, Hallie McQueeny and Holland Shodeen.

St. Charles East. The Saints have the firepower to compete with defending conference champion Waubonsie Valley. Returning state qualifier Paige Jordan should anchor the team, while Darby Crane, Jane Noelker, Courtney Laird, Jordan Thomas and freshman Karina Shah should chip in.

St. Charles North. Senior Ariana Furrie should give the North Stars a solid starting point in just about every meet, and Furrie's supporting cast should be improved this fall. Fellow senior Jordyn McFarlane shapes up as North's No. 2, while younger players such as Jessica Grill, Sam Scroggin, Maddy Bolz and Alina O'Donnell will joust for lineup position.