HOUSTON — Rice women’s golf coach Joanne Berglund announced on Tuesday its inaugural signing class for the 2026-27 school year.
Ana Boone (Champions Gate, Fla.), Jessica Jang (La Canada, Calif.), and Ally Kim (Yorba Linda, Calif.) have joined the Owls for next year.
Boone has played her high school golf at Circle Christian School, where she helped the Centurons to back-to-back District title and a runner-up finish in the state championship. In 2024, she finished second at the FHSAA state championship, and won the District title last year. This past season, she earned four first-place finishes, including the Junior NFPGA Championship, the FJT at Stone Creek, the AJGA Mizuno Junior Championship, and the Florida Girls Junior. Boone has a career scoring average of 72.43.
“Ana brings an exceptional blend of precision, poise, and competitive fire to Rice Women’s Golf,” said Berglund. “Her consistency, discipline, and commitment to growth set her apart as one of the most promising players in the 2026 class. Ana’s strong foundation and drive for excellence make her an invaluable addition to our inaugural team, and we’re excited to see the impact she will have on our program’s future.”
Jang earned two top five finishes on the AJGA Tour last year, including a third-place finish at the Sacramento Junior Championship. A three-time Toyota Tour Cup champion on the Southern California PGA Tour (SCPGA), she earned a runner-up finish at the Southern California Junior Amateur, firing a second round 66 on her way to finishing -8.
Berglund added, “Jessica embodies everything we value in Rice Women’s Golf. A standout junior from California, she brings a powerful game, a mature mental approach, and a relentless work ethic. As one of our top recruits in the 2026 class, Jessica’s talent and drive will elevate our program from day one. We are proud to welcome her to Rice and are excited for the impact she will make on our inaugural team.”
Kim has played for Orange Lutheran High School, where she helped the Lancers to the Calfornia Interscholastic Federation Division I championship in 2024. She also became the second girls’ golfer in school history to capture the Trinity League individual title, firing a final round -7. She earned two victories on the Future Champions Golf Tour, and four on the Southern California Junior PGA Tour. This summer, she earned four top 10 finishes on the AJGA, including runner-ups at the Super Lychee Junior Championship and the AJGA Junior at Copper Valley, where she closed with rounds of 67-68.
“Ally is a remarkable young woman whose integrity, discipline, and commitment to excellence reflect the very values that define Rice University,” said Berglund. “Her consistent game, strong character, and unwavering drive make her an ideal fit for our program. We are beyond excited that Ally has chosen Rice to pursue both her academic and athletic journeys, and we look forward to the meaningful impact she will make on our inaugural team.”
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