M

uch can be learned in the realm of human mentality from the Palo Alto High School girls golf team. The Vikings have demonstrated resilience, victory and humility in the few games they have played so far this season.

Indeed, the tale of the golf team’s heroism is one to be remembered. After suffering a tough loss to crosstown rival Gunn High School, the Vikings proved their tenacity by winning three out of the four games they have played this week.

“The team has played well this season, but we have lost a couple of close matches,” said Doyle Knight, head coach of the team. “One to Gunn and the other to Los Gatos [High School]. Even though we lost, I am encouraged by how well the girls played.”

The Vikings have not let past defeats interfere with future contests, and if the team continues to play with as much zeal as it has displayed thus far, they will pave a road to victory and everlasting respect (with good intentions).

“Once the girls get dialed in, we will do great,” Knight said.  “We have two freshmen, Katherine Sung and Priya Bakshi, who are in our top six. I’m very impressed with their play, they could easily be two of the top players in CCS by the end of this season.”

Although the girls lost to Los Gatos on Sept. 15, their morale was anything but diminished. The Vikings demolished both Lynbrook High School on Sept. 19 and Saratoga High School on Sept. 22, before whipping the wily Wildcats of Los Gatos, whom they had yielded to just days before.

Part of the secret to the Vikings’ success this season can be attributed to a few teammates who are the essential contributors to the team’s prosperity.

“Stephanie [Yu] has the best score and is very accurate,” senior Elise Kiya said. “She can hit very far. Also, we have a couple freshman who are key players on the team.”

With their victory against Los Gatos, the Vikes reaffirmed that Paly is home to the greatest high school Varsity girls golf team of the Central Coast Section. Furthermore, the Vikings proved that if they are ever knocked down, they will return with more force and power than before to reestablish their dominance as the team to beat.

“We’re pretty confident. I think we have some pretty strong players and we are all pretty dedicated,” Kiya said.

The Vikings will tee off next week on Oct. 11 against Los Altos at 3:30 p.m.