RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The game of basketball can take someone to many different places, and it will take The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's basketball team to Puerto Rico on August 6.
 
For some, this will be the first time to Puerto Rico and without basketball they may not have the chance to experience something like this.
 
"This is actually going to be my first time going to Puerto Rico," junior Arianna Sturdivant said. "It's very exciting to see a different culture and to get to play a professional team."
 
"It's very exciting," junior Tierra Trotter said. "I have never been to a place like Puerto Rico so it's very exciting to go with my team and get a chance to build chemistry and get closer to one another."
 
"I am really excited," senior Mele Kailahi said. "I think it will be fun and good for us in regard to team bonding. I have never been so this will be a good experience."
 
Last year's schedule took the Vaqueros to places like Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, South Padre Island, Utah, California, and Las Vegas. 
 
In previous years, the Vaqueros have been able to travel to Florida, Colorado, Arizona, and Chicago to name a few states. 
 
Trips to these states is not all about just playing basketball. The team has had the opportunities to explore different cities and have some fun at the same time. On a trip to Arizona, they were able to visit the Grand Canyon. 
 
Last year's trip to California quickly became one of the favorites as they visited Los Angeles and even got to go see the Los Angeles Lakers.
 
"I have been to Washington, California, Virginia, Utah, Florida and other states," Sturdivant said. "I have been able to go there because of basketball. My favorite trip though was last year to California because it was my first time. Just being able to see it, I fell in love with it, and I can't wait to go again."
 
"The best place I have visited because of basketball is California," Trotter said. "I had always wanted to go there, and basketball took me there. It was a great experience for my teammates and I."
 
For Kailahi, who is from East Palo Alto, California, it was an opportunity to go back to her home state and play in front of family. 
 
"I would have to say our trip to California Baptist," Kailahi said. "That was my favorites. I am originally from Cali. The weather there is always nice. It was really good to go back."
While the Vaqueros have been able to visit many different places throughout their basketball careers, they know there are so many more places that basketball can take them.
 
A trip to Puerto Rico and open doors for future trips. 
 
"I see a lot of teams go to the Bahamas and I would like to go one day," Sturdivant said. "I have heard great things about it, so I really want to go there."
 
"I would love to visit Hawaii or somewhere overseas," Trotter said. "There is so much more to see that I haven't visited yet."
 
"I really want to go overseas for basketball," Kailahi said. "Hopefully when I graduate, I want to try and go play. I want to go to Australia. I think it would be cool to go over there."
 
The Vaqueros are excited for their trip to Puerto Rico and for the trips that they will make in the upcoming 2023-24 season, but they know how much work goes on behind the scenes to make trips like the one to Puerto Rico happen. 
 
Without all that hard work, they know they wouldn't be able to experience many of these trips. 
 
"I am very grateful because I know they worked hard to get us to go to Puerto Rico," Sturdivant said. "I am very grateful for this opportunity to go."
 
"I am very appreciative to be able to make this trip to Puerto Rico," Trotter said. "Not many athletes get a chance to go to Puerto Rico to get this experience. I am excited to experience this with my teammates."
 
"I am really grateful because I think we were supposed to go somewhere last season and didn't get the chance to," Kailahi said. "We get to go somewhere this year, so I think we are a lucky bunch."
 
Support UTRGV Women's Basketball | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube