UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's golf team is set to play for the first time since October 2019 with the opening tournament of the 2021 season Saturday and Sunday in Lexington, Ky.

The Cardinals host the SVSU Spring Invite Saturday and Sunday at Cherry Blossom Golf Club in Lexington.

Under first-year Head Coach Daniel Allen, SVSU returns for the first time since October 20, 2019, when the team finished fourth at the Davenport Panther Invitational.

Allen will look to senior Sabrina Coffman to lead the Cardinals. The former All-GLIAC selection will provide leadership and experience to SVSU. Newcomers Amanda Ehrlich and Alexis Brzezinski will each compete at the top of the Cardinal lineup throughout the season as freshmen.

The season will include a shortened schedule, with just three events to help the Cardinals prepare for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship.

"It's been a long time since our athletes have had the opportunity to compete in tournaments," Allen said. "We do our best to keep it competitive amongst the team, but for golf, there is nothing that can simulate playing different courses in tournaments. We are excited and grateful to be back competing again."

Following this weekend's event, the Cardinals will remain in Lexington to participate in the Findlay Invite Monday and Tuesday at the Old Blue course. SVSU will be at the Walsh Invite April 11-12 in Canton, Ohio to close out the regular season.

The GLIAC Championship is scheduled for April 16-18 at Gull Lake in Augusta, Mich.

"Our expectations are the same every year," Allen said. "Win the GLIAC Championship and compete in the postseason. The GLIAC is a great conference with every team being a tough competitive program, so our work is cut out for us to meet our expectations. We want to set the bar high and we have been working very hard as a program to meet our expectations."