Ariana Gallardo / Vaquero Radio
After setting two program records, the UTRGV Women’s Basketball Team secured its spot in the Southland Conference tournament.
The Vaqueros went on a five-game-winning streak until falling to Southeastern Louisiana University last Thursday. However, the program recorded the most conference wins since the team’s 2018-19 season.
Head coach Lane Lord discussed the mentality the team must maintain as it prepares for the conference tournament.
“We just got to keep doing what we’re doing right now and play solid on defense and make sure that offensively we’re taking great shots and playing within the system,” Lord said. “So, with this five-game-winning streak, we just gotta keep believing and keep doing what we’re doing. If we play hard, and play great defense. We’re always going to have a chance at every game.”
He highlighted standout players who will lead the team onward.
“We’ve got some great leaders in Charlotte O’Keefe, our junior center, is just a phenomenal leader. Kade Hackerott, she’s one of our captains as well and then Tiara Trotter. Those are our three captains.” Lord said. “We’re going to rely heavily on them throughout the tournament. When the coaches aren’t in the locker room, they’re the coaches and they’re the ones that take the team by their own hands right there and really show them what we need to do to stay consistent.”
O’Keefe was recently named Killers Golf Student-Athlete of the Week. She explained the learning curve the team had to overcome to close out games.
“We won our big game against Houston and then we couldn’t finish out games the next three,” O’Keefe said. “So, learning how to just play with each other and finish games out has been huge for us. We’ve won a lot of close games and only dropped a couple since that stretch”
Hackerott is leading the team in points this season, averaging 13.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Hackerott reflected on the team’s progress and the dedication that has driven their success.
“We didn’t make the tournament last year for our conference, so [it’s] really great to do it in our first year in this conference,” Hackerott said. “I really think that just shows how hard we’ve worked and how hard these coaches have pushed us. And I think it’s just a testament to all that we’ve accomplished and all that we still can accomplish in this year and in future years.”
Lord praised Trotter as the most improved player in the team. She currently holds a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Trotter spoke about her dedication in assisting her teammates during games.
“Being one of the top point guards in the conference and having the most assists and knowing what I got to bring to the table in order for my team to win, I feel like it aligns to this team because we have a lot of shooters, so they need somebody to pass them the ball on the court,” she said.
The Women’s Basketball Team ended its season with a 16-15 overall record and 11-9 in conference play.
On March 10, the Vaqueros will take the court at the Southland Conference Tournament in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
This is Leonardo Guajardo for Vaquero Radio.
