RIO GRANDE VALLEY – For many student-athletes, jumping into the transfer portal can be an unpredictable move. The windows are brief and decisions are made quickly, sometimes resulting in a new place that doesn't feel quite right. 
 
Two newcomers on The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's (UTRGV) women's basketball team are enjoying the positivity that comes with the transfer portal. Juniors Trinity Bane and Jesslynn Jalomo left home to start their collegiate careers, and after getting all they could out of their first stops, the portal transported them back to the 956 region they hold close to their hearts. 
 
"I've been ready to come home. I have seen UTRGV games and it's been a school I wanted to play at for a while," Bane said. "Now actually getting an offer to play here is a blessing. I can imagine [my first game]. I'm excited to see all my friends and family in the stands. It's going to be great." 
 
Bane is a Rio Grande Valley product and former standout at PSJA North High School, where she surpassed the 1,000 threshold in career points and rebounds while shining as a defensive player. Her collegiate path started at Hill College at the NJCAA level before she continued her career at New Orleans. Bane was sidelined by an injury when UNO, a Southland Conference foe, played at UTRGV in the 2025-26 season, so she hasn't competed on the court in front of her home crowd just yet. But as a local, she has seen the growth of Vaqueros women's basketball and UTRGV Athletics in general, and the portal gave her the chance she has long waited for. 
 
"We're so excited to have Trinity here. We've had several players from the Valley in the past, but it's been a few years. So, to have Trinity come with Div. I experience, she's been fun to have around already and we're excited about what she can do," head coach Lane Lord said. "She's left handed, kind of a stretch four who can play the five a little bit if we need her to. Really good athlete that's going to help our program." 
 
As a native of Laredo, Texas, the Valley isn't exactly home for Jalomo, but she has been comfortable at the UTRGV Fieldhouse even before she joined the Vaqueros roster. The guard played her first two seasons of college basketball at Nicholls, another SLC opponent. 
 
Jalomo is 3-2 against the Vaqueros in her career and won both games she played in the UTRGV Fieldhouse with the Colonels. Her path to UTRGV is similar to new teammate, former opp and fellow SLC transplant Erin Maguire, who started her career at Houston Christian. Lord was impressed with Maguire and Jalomo when they played well against the Vaqueros with the respective squads. When the opportunity came to get those speedy guards on his team instead of suiting up against it, Lord jumped. 
 
"When Jess came and played here [with Nicholls], she had her own cheering section and she did have a great game against us," Lord recalled. "She's a proven player in our league. Little bitty thing but can really shoot the basketball from anywhere. She's got great handles and she's versatile. She has a motor that just doesn't stop. She plays hard all the time and she's going to be a fun one to watch." 


 
Jalomo did take her time to ensure she made the best decision possible when she entered the portal, but the Vaqueros were always at the top of her list. Once summer workouts picked up and she started her UTRGV career, Jalomo instantly knew she made the right choice. 
 
"When I decided that I was going to transfer, UTRGV was definitely my top choice," Jalomo said. "The culture here, the playing style, and just how the school is growing and the direction it's headed in, I think all of it made it right. I really wanted to play here, so I was super happy when I got the offer from Coach Lord." 
 
Jalomo brings the spark with her sharp outside shot, which will fit in well with the three-point heavy Vaqueros. Lord has focused on making the roster more athletic over the last few seasons, helping them push the tempo of the game and fit better in the gritty style of SLC women's basketball. 
 
That fast-paced and quick-shot approach is where Jalomo thrives. But she doesn't just fit the style of UTRGV. She epitomizes the chip-on-your-shoulder mentality so many across the 956 understand, and it'll make her relatable with the fans as well as her team. 
 
"Three-point shooting is something I've really grown to love. My whole life I've been doubted because I'm small. I'm not the strongest. I'm not the fastest. I had to find an outlet for me, something different that I can bring to the team. Here at UTRGV, everybody can shoot. It's no secret they love the three. So, I'm excited to also bring that to the table and help out with that," Jalomo said. 
 
Both Bane and Jalomo excitedly talked about how quickly the team is coming together. They may be new to UTRGV women's basketball, but they might know better than any on the roster how important family is in the 956. And because of their familiarity with that culture, they appreciate what's developing in the locker room. 
 
"You can just tell everyone truly cares for each other. That's the most important thing for me, having that family bond with your coaches and teammates," Jalomo said. "It's something about the 956 culture. It's something unlike any other place. You can really feel it. I feel like having that bond off the court will take the team to a completely new level on the court. It's something that's really special and I think it's going to take us a long way." 
 
Bane echoed that sentiment, along with the anticipation of taking the court with a large contingent of family and friends in the stands eager to cheer on the women of the 956, whether local or not. The PSJA North product is showing her teammates where to eat, to shop, and all the Valley has to offer. In turn, they're giving her a feeling she missed her first three years of college basketball – the comfort and confidence of home and family. 
 
"The players around me have been like family to me, very welcoming. All the coaches are great. It's different from what I've experienced throughout my college career," Bane said. "It's amazing having all these people here to support me, my friends, my family, past coaches. This team is already coming together like a family. Everyone has different roles and everyone can bring something to the table. I think this team is going to be really great." 

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