Preseason MVP: Amara Graham averaged 10.8 points and is UTRGV’s leading returning scorer and top playmaker. If the team wants to reach their potential, she’ll have to take her game to another level as the team’s go-to player.

The Ceiling: California Baptist seems to be team to beat in the WAC, which also features rival New Mexcico State. UTRGV needs to find its stride early to figure into the league’s top spots. With this being Lane Lord’s third year, the Vaqueros figure to improve enough during the regular season to have a shot at winning the league tournament.

The Floor: The WAC’s depth was suspect last season, which enabled a Vaqueros team that had just eight league wins to finish in the middle of the league. If it keeps Graham healthy and the newcomers fire at first asking, the Vaqueros should at least equal or improve on its fourth-place showing of 2019-2020.

Projected Starting Five

Jena’ Williams
G | 5-8 | So. | Bartlesville, Okla.

Amara Graham
G | 5-6 | Sr. | Chicago, Il.

Halie Jones
G | 5-10 | So. | Wichita, Kan.

Sara Bershers
G | 6-0 | So. | Fort Smith, Ark.

Burcu Soysal
C | 6-5 | R-Jr. | Istanbul, Turkey

LANE LORD
Head Coach

Game of the Year: New Mexico State

Impact First-Year Player: Jessica Martino

Season Preview

Following a tough showing that featured a roster of 13 newcomers, UTRGV figures to be on the upswing in 2020-2021 simply because the majority of the introductions are in the past.

The WAC squad returns 10 veterans from last season's 13-17 group that won just five games after January and was 8-8 in league play.

With so many vets and what looks to be some talented newcomers on hand, the Vaqueros are hopeful of contending in the league race.

"We had to mix and match lineups early," coach Lane Lord said of last season. "By the end of the year we were more consistent with our lineups. With a new system and a lot of new players it took time. To win on the road, you have to have experienced players. Players that have been through your certain situation and our situation was the travel. I think next year we will be much more prepared with our young group."

Redshirt senior Amara Graham highlights the roster. The guard earned second-team league honors last go-around, averaging 10.8 points and leading the WAC in three-point shooting (.427).

Besides scoring, Graham is effecient at setting up others on offense and setting the intensity at the point of the defense. She had 88 assists and 24 steals and shot 81 percent at the free throw line.

Other vets include seniors Valeria Tapia (3.0 ppg) and Iva Belosevic (2.4 ppg) and four sophomores - Tiffany McGarity, Halie Jones (4.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Sydney Cajero and Sara Bershers (4.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg). The sophomores all saw plenty of playing time as freshman and will provide experience and depth.

Tapia and Belosevic both played in all 30 games last season.

Redshirt junior Burcu Soysal is another player who brings experience and talent to the program. She redshirted last season after transferring from UMass, where she started 31 games and averaged 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds as a sophomore.

At 6-foot-5, Soysal's presence near the goal should draw the focus of defenses, which will free up the guards to score.

The addition of some newcomers round out the lineup and give the roster both experience and youth.

Jessica Martino, a forward, averaged 10.5 points and 6.2 boards as a sophomore at Lebette Community College. Jordan Lewis, a guard who comes in from Grayson College, averaged 6.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a sophomore after being a 12.3 scorer her freshman outing.

Also new are Afiya Vincent of Colby Community College and Jena' Williams of Nevada.

Vincent averaged 5.6 points and 7.4 rebounds as a sophomore. Williams started 16 games at Nevada before heading south to Texas. She is expected to see playing time at point guard, which will free up Graham for more scoring opportunities at the shooting guard position.

While the team is sure to miss Zhane Templeton (9.6 ppg) and Trelynn Tyler (13.8 ppg) - seniors in 2019-2020 - UT-Rio Grande Valley's assets moving forward are experience and depth, not a bad combination for a program that is still relatively young.