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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Golf Inks Arkansas All-American
11/12/2008 | Women's Golf
OXFORD, Miss. The Ole Miss women's golf team added another outstanding player to the program, as junior standout Haley Sanders, of Rogers, Ark., signed a national letter of intent to play for the Rebels beginning in the 2009-10 year, head coach Michele Drinkard announced Wednesday.
Following this past summer, Sanders was named to the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) HP Scholastic Junior All-America Team. The HP Scholastic Junior All-American selections are based on grade-point average, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, community service, golfing ability and writing skills.
Among the 12 boys and girls' players selected to this team, Sanders boasts a 4.0 grade point average and ranks third in her high school class of 742.
Ranked as high as No. 22 by Golfweek, Sander's accomplishments on the links are numerous. She advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2007 U.S. Junior Championship and was a 2007 Honorable Mention Rolex Junior All American.
"We are looking forward to Haley joining our team next fall," Drinkard said. "I have been following Haley's career since the sixth grade, and I am thrilled that she has finally become an Ole Miss Rebel. Haley is an outstanding player and student. She brings to the team a lot of experience, and we expect her to have an immediate impact on our program. The only big issue for the team is to figure out what nicknames will be given since we will have two Haley's on the team next year."
In addition, Sanders earned Southeastern Junior Golf Tour (SJGT) Player of the Year honors in 2006 and was the 2007 Arkansas High School 7A West Conference Champion. Sanders owns several top five finishes in AJGA events.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Sanders will compete in the prestigious AJGA Polo Junior Championship.
While maintaining a high level in the classroom and on the course, Sanders has found time to be a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) SMAT (Senior Spirit Club) and the Orchestra, where she plays the violin. Sanders was also named to Who's Who Among High School Students.