University of Houston women's golf team makes history with family atmosphere

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The University of Houston women's golf coach, Lydia Lasprilla, recruited players from all corners of the world.

Natalie Saint Germain arrived from Prague in the Czech Republic. Alexa Saldana joined up from her native Mexico by way of a golf academy in the Dallas area. Moa Svedenskiold made her way to Houston from Sweden, and Emelia Vaisto grew up in Finland. Katy's Maelynn Kim is the only native Texan in the bunch. Together, they teamed up to make history as the first women's golf team at UH to advance to the NCAA Championships.

"I care about them way more than golfers, as people, too," Coach Lasprilla told ABC13. "It's almost like a big family."

You hear the word 'family' a lot when you talk to the players. Kim cherishes the time she's spent with her teammates and the things she's learned from them in the last three years.

"All of my teammates are international," she said. "And that has opened my eyes so much."

Kim went on to explain that UH golfers from Europe can't always call home when times are tough. They've learned to lean on one another, and that experience has made a lasting and meaningful impact on their lives.

"It's actually very inspiring," she added.

Those close bonds have translated into better results on the course.

"This year we have such great team chemistry," Saldana said. "And I think we can all have each other's backs on the course."

The Cougars proved it at their regional in Louisville, finishing with a team score of 11 under par, only trailing the 7th-ranked Auburn. The Cougars beat three nationally ranked teams in the final regional standings, including the 6th-ranked Arkansas.

Now, the Cougars look forward to their first trip to the NCAA Championships that start Friday in California.

"I'm really proud," Saldana said with a smile. "Just knowing that we made history our last year."