Victoria Gonzalez/Vaquero Radio
With the first season opener Tuesday, the UTRGV Women’s Basketball Team expressed confidence, excitement and a renewed identity for the 2024-25 season.
Last season, the Vaqueros ended with a 6-23 overall record and 5-15 in conference play.
Head coach Lane Lord acknowledged last year’s rough season, but noted many athletes are determined to make this season different with the improved culture and companionship.
Players believe they will win more games before even hitting the court. Lord explained what this shared belief means to him.
“Well, I think, a lot of times, you know, winning and losing, it’s so much mental,” he said. “And I think, right now we have a great mental space. And our players believe that they can win, they believe in each other. But it’s our responsibility to win basketball games, put UTRGV on the map, and I think our players believe that, too.”
Senior guard Kade Hackerott, who played and started in all 29 games last season, said she’s ready to move on from how “bad last year was,” focusing on a promising future ahead.
“So I really think our identity is just focus on who we are and not who we were,” Hackerott said. “You know, I think UTRGV can, you know, have a whole new meaning for women’s basketball, if, you know, if we take this year and just keep it going in the right direction.”
Sophomore guard Jayda Holiman, who played in 19 games with nine starts in the previous season, highlighted the team’s work ethic.
“Like, we come in there every day, we work hard every day,” Holiman said. “It’s, like, more serious. We know that we had to come in here with, like, a, you know, like, ‘Let’s go, let’s get it’ because I feel like we can win the whole conference.”
Hackerott said there is a refreshing feeling of confidence transforming the Vaqueros, enhancing its team chemistry. She said the player’s attitudes make everyone feel this season will be better.
“People want to be here every day at practice,” Hackerott said. “You know, I can tell that people are practicing harder, putting in more effort, getting extra shots up. And then there’s just a lot less, like, negative talk, I think, in the locker room, whether that’s toward each other, towards the coaches, you know, I’m not seeing as much of that this year at all.”
Lord described the goals for this season.
“Every year is different,” he said. “Every year has its challenges. Every year has its good times, bad times, and, I think handling adversity is something that, you know, we really got to strive to do better than we have in the last couple of years. When things go bad, how are we going to respond? That’s what we’re excited about.”
The Vaqueros will play against the University of Houston Cougars at 7 p.m. in Houston.
