The SIUC women’s golf team is a year wiser and much more prepared than last season for its trip to Arizona Friday.

The Salukis open their spring season for the second time at the Midwest Classic in Phoenix this weekend, and after finishing fifth last year, the team is ready to make a much better first impression.

Unseasonably warm weather has given SIUC ample time to prepare for the tournament. With two of their top three scorers returning from last year’s tournament and one of their best fall seasons behind them, the Salukis are confident this year’s meet will have a different ending.

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El Nio has been bad for the coast but good for us, Saluki coach Diane Daugherty said. We’ve played three 18-hole days the last two weekends, so I really feel good about that.

We’re against all northern schools. They have these really fancy indoor facilities, and we can’t feel too sorry for them. They’re going to have hit a lot of shots, but we are going to be the only team probably that’s been outside to the extent to where I feel pretty good about it.

The extra preparation has also received praise from the Saluki players. Senior Jamie Smith is looking forward to the meet and a chance to repeat her performance from last year. Smith shot a two-round total of 152 to finish in a four-way tie for fourth place.

It’s a good start to go out and a nice place to be, Smith said. We can kind of enjoy the conditions, and it’s a good way to start the season.

Joining Smith as a top returnee is senior Stacy Skillman. Skillman finished 21st in Phoenix last season while helping the Salukis grab a first-place tie with Northwestern University after the first round.

But SIUC stumbled the second day, falling to fifth with a total of 624. Northwestern won the event with a 605.

Although the final result was not what the Salukis expected, Smith said the strong first round did give them an added boost of confidence.

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Last year, after the first day, we were tied for the lead, Smith said. So we know we can compete with these teams.

SIUC will have its hands full again this year as Northwestern leads a group of nine solid competitors. Also in the field are University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Missouri Valley Conference-rival Illinois State University.

For Daugherty, the tournament is the perfect time to give her team a gauge for the spring season.

We should be OK, Daugherty said. I’m just looking to go out there and play two good rounds so we have really good confidence for the year. It’s a nice recruiting tool and a nice reward for them.

Also adding to the Salukis’ positive outlook is their solid fall season. SIUC captured a tournament title and set a school record in the process, giving junior Jami Zimmerman reason to believe the team’s goals for a conference championship are well within reach.

It’s definitely on our mind, Zimmerman said. I think we were a little bit disappointed because we didn’t get there last year. We know the teams that are going into it, and we know we can play with them.

We all have our own individual goals. We had the lowest overall team average that we have ever had, so we want to keep that going.

SIUC travels to Phoenix for the Midwest Classic Friday and Saturday.