For championship-level athletic programs, the word “rebuild” is rarely a part of the vernacular that accompanies the beginning of a new season.

The No. 1 ASU women’s golf team begins its spring season Monday at the Northrop Grumman Regional, and the pieces are in place to make another run at a national title.

The Sun Devils captured the program’s seventh NCAA championship last June, and coach Melissa Luellen doesn’t see any reason why her squad can’t make another run at the elite crown.

“We really have high expectations again, and the girls expect a lot from themselves,” Luellen said. “It’s hard to figure out what the consistency is right now, but as far as talent, we definitely have the talent to win a bunch of tournaments.”

The Sun Devils dominated postseason play in 2009, winning the Pac-10, the NCAA West Regional and national championship tournaments.

After a few months to reflect on the storied run, the Sun Devils said the results were part of a collective drive to achieve greatness.

“It takes a special group that really believes it can do something, and that group from last year really pulled together and really wanted it,” Luellen said. “It was their dream, and they just weren’t going to be denied. It was really fun as a coach to almost sit back and watch that develop. ”

Added senior Juliana Murcia: “It was something that we worked really hard for for almost three years. There was a lot of hard work, perseverance and trust. We knew anyone could help win the championship and we all gave our best.”

The Sun Devils have lost two players from their talent-laden roster to graduation. Azahara Munoz, the 2008 individual national champion and four-time All-American, and Jennifer Osborn, who lost the Pac-10 championship in a playoff to teammate Carlota Ciganda, have departed.

While Munoz received countless accolades during her career as Sun Devil and is now playing on the LPGA Tour, Luellen said the loss of Osborn can’t be understated.

“[Osborn] really brought it on and played well in the postseason,” the coach said. “She did a great job for us.”

There are several players, though, who are excited and ready to fill in and contribute to another title run.

Jennifer Johnson is one of the top freshmen in the nation and had an impressive fall season, placing in the top 10 of every tournament she played in and gaining an coveted invite to the Spirit International, a tournament featuring the best players from countries all over the world.

Johnson has stated a personal goal of becoming an All-American during her freshman season — an aspiration her coach certainly thinks is in reach.

“She is just a very consistent player,” Luellen said. “You look at her record before she came [to ASU] and she was a consistent player. … She’s just a really great example of someone who is trying to improve every day.”

Johnson will likely be pushed this season by Ciganda, a sophomore whose impressive freshman campaign included an individual Pac-10 title and a host of high finishes.

“Carlota is a winner, she’s a gamer,” Luellen said. “She gets excited for the big tournaments, and she’s been winning tournaments for a long time. You can put any word you want on it, but I think her game will elevate.”

Luellen also noted the improved play of sophomore Giulia Molinaro, who held the No. 6 position on the team for much of the last season.

The Sun Devils are defending champions of the Northrup Grumman tournament, which starts Monday in Palos Verdes, Calif.

Murcia won the individual title at the event in wet conditions last season.

Reach the reporter at nkosmide@asu.edu