UPDATED: 4:36 p.m. January 5, 2021
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that a Tier I member of the women’s basketball program has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a news release earlier today.
The team will pause competition for the next seven days in accordance with NCAA and WAC COVID-19 protocols. The Vaquero were scheduled to play the Rattlers of Saint Mary’s University at 3 p.m. Saturday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse has been canceled.
A Tier I member, according to the NCAA, consists of student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials.
This is the first time, in-season, that a Tier I member tests positive from the UTRGV women’s basketball program.
ORIGINAL: 7:20 p.m. January 4, 2021
UTRGV Athletics announced women’s basketball will be adding St. Mary’s University to its schedule at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Fieldhouse in a news release earlier today.
The Vaqueros will face the Rattlers after a previously scheduled, Friday and Saturday doubleheader against, Western Athletic Conference (WAC) opponent Chicago State (0-3) failed to meet NCAA and WAC COVID-19 Protocol.
St. Mary’s in the 2019-20 season finished as the Lone Star Conference, DII, Co-Divisional Champs with head coach Jason Martens at the helm. This season the Rattlers have yet to record a victory, 0-4, with an average margin of loss of 25 points.
Senior Post player Hannah Wilson leads the Rattlers in scoring and rebounding averaging 12 points and eight rebounds per contest.
This will be UTRGV’s first game since their Dec. 19 66-63 victory over Prairie View A&M in the South Padre Island Classic. The team was slated to play Incarnate Word University on Jan. 2, but the game was canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test of a Tier I personnel within the Incarnate Word women’s basketball program, according to a UTRGV Athletics news release.
In the weekly UTRGV women’s basketball news conference, head coach Lane Lord explained the toll a long layoff has had on his team.
“It’s tough on the kids, we’ve only played six games and we’ve been practicing since August,” Lord said. “They want to play…they need to play. You can only practice so much against each other. We’re trying to have a lot of variety in practice and a lot of situational type experiences in practice. We’re getting a lot of work, it’s just time to go and play some games.”
Lord’s message to his team has not waivered during the extended layoff constantly reiterating to keep the course.
“Continue to stay hungry,” he said. “Every game we play is a blessing in this pandemic year, so, every time you step foot on the court, we might not get to play for another two weeks, you just don’t know what’s going to happen. So, enjoy the moment, enjoy each practice and continue to try to work on their craft and stay safe – we’ve done a great job all year – we got to continue to follow the protocols… staying safe, staying hungry, having fun.”
Lord also announced that sophomore guard Sara Bershers will be available for Saturday’s game. Bershers has yet to appear in a game this season due to an undisclosed injury.
In 23 games her freshman campaign, Bershers averaged four points and three rebounds per game and coach Lord is expecting her to bring a shot of energy to the team.
For the complete UTRGV women’s basketball schedule visit GoUTRGV.com.
For Vaquero Radio, I’m Luis Rubio.
