The La Reina golf team is a mean, green machine—literally.

If the Regents don’t intimidate opponents with their bold electric green uniforms, they do it on the golf course with blistering low scores.

La Reina wrapped up a Tri- Valley League championship and a memorable regular season by edging rival Oaks Christian last week at Camarillo Springs Golf Course.

While first-year head coach Brian Creps has infused the team with positive vibes, junior JoJo Sottile and freshman Divya Manthena form a formidable one-two punch. The other student-athletes follow their lead.

La Reina ( 12- 1, 10- 0 in league) has traditionally fielded strong squads.

Still, something is a little different this season.

“In years past, we’re a team,” Sottile said. “This year, we came together as a family. There’s a great team dynamic—and winning is icing on the cake.”

Sottile was always a strong player. Teammates said she’s made a leap.

“JoJo is such a good leader this year,” said junior Carly Stalnaker, who has known Sottile since the first grade. “JoJo helped me with my swing. I think that really helped my game.”

Sottile, who hopes to play NCAA Division I golf, has added 60 yards to her drive since June.

She spends countless hours on chipping and putting. Her putting remains solid even though she was concerned about it entering the season—she struggled with her short game this summer.

Sottile’s grandparents, JoAnn and Ed Moran, put a club in her hands at age 6. Sottile looks up to her grandmother, who’s drained 10 holes-in-one.

JoAnn Moran watched her granddaughter struggle against Oaks Christian but offered advice after the two-stroke victory.

“She said my tempo was fast,” said Sottile, last season’s league MVP. “She said the next time I’m in that situation, slow down, take deep breaths and remind yourself to take it slow.”

The youngest Regent pushed Sottile.

“She opened my eyes to how hard golf really is,” Sottile said of Manthena. “Golf takes a lot of hard work and sacrifices. I had to give up a lot of my free time to succeed.

“When (Manthena) told me how much work she puts in, I needed to step up my game.”

Now, Sottile and Manthena play together in matches. They feed off each other and help each other read the greens.

If Manthena hits a nice strike, Sottile tries to follow with a better shot.

And they’re good friends, too.

“Oh, it’s her birthday,” Sottile said before giving Manthena a big hug. Manthena turned 14 last week.

Manthena has enjoyed her first foray into golf as a team sport.

“As a freshman coming in, I didn’t think this season could be as fun as it has been,” Manthena said.

“Every time we win a match I have a sense of pride. It’s been a great season.”

Stalnaker, a third-year varsity veteran, has been a consistent threat in the lineup. With a new driver and small adjustments, she’s trimmed off four strokes per round from last year.

Instead of being overwhelmed by details, she repeats two simple mantras from Creps: Keep balanced and grip right.

The junior also has a secret weapon: She uses Creps’ putter.

“His putter is still in my bag,” Stalnaker said.

Celia Sacks, a senior captain, has also enjoyed her final season at La Reina. She played a big role in the Regents’ two-stroke win against the Lions last week. Sacks drilled a 15-yard putt on the final hole—for a triple bogey.

“Triple bogey for the win . . . interesting,” Sacks said. “It was a really intense and close, close match. It was too close for comfort, but it’s a solid victory.”

Sacks said she could feel pressure from the gallery on the ninth hole, even though she didn’t know the score.

“I could feel the tension and closeness of the match,” she said.

“When I went to hit the putt, I was not in a great place mentally or completely clear in my mind. I tried to read the line as good as I could. When it went in, I had a sigh of relief.”

Although she’s a talented player, Sacks’ scores have not been low.

“The season’s been tough for me,” the captain said. “I’m confident in my game, but my scores don’t reflect that. My scores are higher than they should be and higher than what I want them to be.”

Sacks hopes her improved mechanics and refreshed outlook will help her team at the CIF-Southern Section Northern Divisional on Oct. 26 at Soule Park in Ojai.

The captain thinks La Reina has a chance to reach the Nov. 15 state championship at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.

“If we all work hard and do our very best,” Sacks said, “I wouldn’t count us out, that’s for sure.”

Mary Pfaff, another senior captain, appreciates being part of this team.

“I really loved bonding with everyone,” Pfaff said. “It’s been very positive this year. Our coach is great. He’s always supportive in everything we do.”

Senior Anamaria Posadas and freshmen Emme Anderson and Maddie Gault also contribute. Eric Stalnaker and John Sottile are assistant coaches.

The Regents are ready for the postseason.

“I think the girls are going to make a little noise,” Creps said. “They’re ready.”