Megan Menzel’s surprise departure in July left the Kansas University athletic department looking for a new women’s golf coach.

After two years at KU, Menzel resigned, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family.

She and husband Craig have two young daughters.

“This was a very difficult decision because of the love and respect that we have for the University of Kansas,” Menzel said.

Menzel guided KU to an eighth-place finish in the Big 12 Conference tournament, the Jayhawks’ highest finish since 1998.

“She left the program in excellent shape,” said Kelly Mehrtens, KU’s senior woman administrator.

Previously, Menzel had coached at Boise State and at Colorado State where she twice led the Rams to NCAA Regional berths.

Menzel’s replacement will inherit a squad without a single senior, but a core group with plenty of experience and depth.

Tiffany Woods, who hails from Escondido, Calif., is one of four juniors on the roster. She was also one of the team’s top performers last year.

Her two best outings were last fall, including a 15th place finish at the Mary Fossom Invitational in September.

“It helps us be able to just play instead of worrying about someone being able to come through,” Woods said. “We all know we can score low, so there’s not much pressure on anyone individually.”

Junior Chelsey Pryor (Washington, Pa.) and sophomore Amanda Costner (Claremore, Okla.) were standouts in the six spring tournaments.

Costner finished second at the Texas A&M Invitational and seventh at the Big 12 Tournament.

Pryor was 10th at the Berning Classic.

“I would like the role of being a leader,” Costner said. “We have a lot of people on our team who would like to consider themselves leaders.”

Jill Womble, a sophomore from Pleasanton, Calif., also contributed with three top 20 finishes, including a team-best eighth place at the Marilynn Smith Invitational in Manhattan.

Jennifer Bawanan, who graduated, is the only loss off last year’s team.

Menzel signed Annie Giangrosso of Overland Park Aquinas to fill that vacated roster slot.

“They’re a highly motivated group that works together, and that’s all you can ask from a golf team,” Menzel said before resigning. “I think together, they’ll be a force this year.”