University Of Texas San Antonio Women's Basketball
Women’s basketball is a fast-growing sport in the United States. More and more young girls are taking up the sport, and colleges and universities are investing in their women's basketball programs. One of these universities is the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), which boasts a women's basketball team that is quickly gaining recognition as a team to watch out for in the NCAA.
The History of UTSA Women's Basketball
The UTSA women's basketball program was established in 1981 and has since then competed in the NCAA Division I. In the early years, the team struggled to compete with other established programs in the region. However, in recent years, the UTSA Roadrunners have made significant progress and are now a force to be reckoned with.
In the 2018-2019 season, the UTSA Women's Basketball team had a record of 22-11 overall and 12-6 in Conference USA play. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women's National Invitation Tournament, where they fell to the University of Alabama.
The Coaching Staff
The success of the UTSA Women’s Basketball team can be credited to their coaching staff. The head coach, Kristen Holt, has been with the program since 2012 and has steadily improved the team's record since her arrival. Prior to joining UTSA, Holt was an assistant coach at Kansas State, where she helped guide the team to seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
Alongside Coach Holt is an impressive group of assistant coaches who bring a variety of skills and experience to the team. These include assistant coach Alaniz Rodriguez, who played college basketball at UTSA, and assistant coach Melissa Martinez, who joined the team in 2020 and brings experience from her time as a player at the University of Texas at Austin.
Star Players
The UTSA Women's Basketball team has had several standout players over the years. One current star player is senior guard and team captain, Tija Hawkins. In the 2019-2020 season, Hawkins led the team in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game. She was also named to the All-Conference USA Second Team and the All-Defensive Team.
Another standout player is junior guard Mikayla Woods, who was named to the All-Conference USA Third Team in the 2019-2020 season. Woods is known for her impressive three-point shooting and is a key player in the team's offense.
The Future of UTSA Women's Basketball
The future looks bright for the UTSA Women's Basketball team. With a talented coaching staff and an excellent group of players, they are poised to continue their success in the upcoming seasons. The team has also attracted talented recruits, such as incoming freshman guard, Jhada Edwards, who was ranked as a top-100 player in the nation by ESPN.
The UTSA Women's Basketball team is also making waves off the court. They are active in their community and are involved in various philanthropic projects, such as volunteering at local food banks and participating in breast cancer awareness events.
Conclusion
The UTSA Women's Basketball team is a team to watch out for in the NCAA. They have steadily improved over the years and are now a force to be reckoned with. With a talented coaching staff, star players, and promising recruits, the future looks bright for the UTSA Roadrunners. They are not only successful on the court but are also making a positive impact off the court, exemplifying what it means to be true student-athletes.