RIO GRANDE VALLEY – After completing their winningest season in program history, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) women's basketball team looks to keep the momentum rolling as they begin summer workouts for the 2026-27 season.
 
The Vaqueros opened practice with traditional stretching and full court drills. During this session, three things stood out about the new look squad: length, speed, and determination.
 
"We're going to be bigger at every position, especially the guard position," Head Women's Basketball Coach Lane Lord said. "We're also going to be a little more athletic. So, we're excited to see what this team can do. It's like a puzzle; we just have to put the pieces together."
 
Among the puzzle pieces are the standout returners from last season's successful campaign, headlined by sophomore Chazlyn Dettor and senior Erin Maguire, both of whom started 30+ games in 2025-26.
 
Dettor shined opposite of outgoing senior Charlotte O'Keefe in her freshman campaign, logging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Maguire, a combo guard, averaged 8.2 points and 3.2 assists per game.
 
"In the era of the transfer portal, we are very fortunate to have seven players back that played significant minutes last year," Lord said. "We had our best season in program history last year, and we obviously want to keep building on that. They are our veteran players and are really going to help us."
 
Alongside Dettor and Maguire, the Vaqueros also retain junior Gianna Angiolet and senior Madison Huhn. Lord has leaned on Angiolet and Huhn to set the tone for this new squad as two of the longest-tenured Vaqueros on the 2026-27 team.
 
During full-court drills, Lord explained and ran through some of the "usual" drills that the Vaqueros deploy throughout the season. Huhn took point, often going first and showing the newcomers how the drill is done.
 
"Some of the older girls, like Madison and I, are just trying our best to work really hard," Angiolet said. "Becoming vocal leaders, leading by example, and just trying to fill [Charlotte's] shoes by just being the best teammates we can be."
 
After running full court drills, the Vaqueros split into groups, the guards went with UTRGV's new associate head coach Danny Hughes while the post players went to the other side of the court with assistant coach Victoria Peña.
 
The guards ran through ball handling drills before practicing all sorts of screen-and-roll action, acting as both the primary ballhandler and as an off-ball shooter. Meanwhile, the post players worked on finishing through contact, footwork underneath the hoop, and creating space down low.
 
Throughout the hour-long practice, several newcomers stood out, including in-conference transfers including senior and PSJA North alum Trinity Bane from New Orleans, junior and Laredo United alum Jesslynn Jalomo from Nicholls, and sophomore Kamryn McLaurin from Houston Christian.
 
All three newcomers bring a unique skillset to the team, Bane worked with the post players, all 6'0" forward displayed a quick first step and long strides as she moved up-and-down the court. Jalomo showcased her shiftiness and handles throughout the individual session and McLaurin showed off her athleticism and length as a 5'11" guard.
 
"We've got some good [student-athletes] coming in," Lord said. "We're excited to have two local players for the first time in a while. We got Trinity Bane from Pharr and Jesslynn, and she's a proven player in our conference. We also got Kamryn from Houston Christian, who is one of the best athletes in our league."
 
Bane and McLaurin join fellow newcomers fifth year Janette Aarnio and lone freshman Jessica Borders as versatile athletes that range in the 5'11" to 6'0" range. The Vaqueros harped on versatility and depth during the offseason, and the new roster showcases just that. The Vaqueros are also excited to bring in Lina Fimbo, a 6'3" post player and the final newcomer, in a few weeks.
 
The Vaqueros will take the next eight weeks to install their culture, gameplan, and goals for the season prior to the start of fall. This puzzle is one that comes without a guide or a reference, but it's one that Coach Lord looks forward to every year, and this year is no exception.
 
"It's so much fun every year, to start and then see what you can do by the end of the year," Lord said. "Some years will go great and some don't, but it's all about the summer. It never gets old."
 
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