RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The work has been going since June, but Monday marked the first official practice of the 2026-27 season for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) women's basketball team.

After limited time in the summer and early fall, UTRGV can now ramp up its practices. For head coach Lane Lord, that is what makes the first day special.

"We've been going since June, but the hours is what makes it special. We can practice now 20 hours a week instead of just eight," Lord said. "And right now we're excited about this group. We've got some tremendous talent, some returners we're really excited about, and our newcomers have been fitting in just great."

The Vaqueros have plenty to build on. They're coming off the winningest season in program history, going 21-14 with a program-record 16 Southland Conference (SLC) wins and returning to the postseason for the first time in seven years. Seven players who logged significant minutes are back, including senior guard Erin Maguire and sophomore forward Chazlyn Dettor, who each started 30-plus games.

Monday wasn't perfect, but Lord said that was expected with the team using the weekend to enjoy UTRGV football's bounce-back win. Lord expects a sharper session Tuesday, with Maguire and senior guard Madison Huhn helping set the tone.

"They had a three-day weekend, and usually when you have a three-day weekend, Monday's not very good. That was the truth today as well," Lord said. "I think we'll have a much better day tomorrow, and Erin being a leader and Maddy, they're going to make sure our girls are ready to go."

With roughly six weeks until the season opener Nov. 2 at home against Arlington Baptist, the team was focused on fine-tuning its sets it installed this summer. The added practice time will help, as coaches can get more detailed and go longer.

"Offensive efficiency is number one. We had quite a few turnovers today, so that's got to be our focus," Lord said. "Now you've got about six weeks to fine-tune everything we crammed in this summer and early fall. As a coach, I'm sure the players don't like the longer practices, but we sure do."

Lord also points to experience as a strength. He believes UTRGV will be the oldest team in the SLC, with some fifth-year players and an older international set. Several newcomers have already proven themselves at the Div. I level, including in-conference transfers Trinity Bane (New Orleans), Jesslynn Jalomo (Nicholls) and Kamryn McLaurin (Houston Christian).

"That's not just experience, but playing at the Div. I level and being in NCAA tournaments, [as some of our older players have], that's going to provide a lot of leadership for us this year," Lord said.
That leadership has extended to team chemistry, which Lord called outstanding. The roster's international makeup, with players from France, Ireland and Finland, has made for some fun cultural exchanges, from trying new foods to learning about each other's backgrounds.

"Our two grandmas, fifth-year Janette [Aarnio] and Erin, have done a great job helping out our 18- and 19-year-olds," Lord said. "It's been fun to watch them get to know each other."
With the season now underway, Lord is happy to be back in the gym with his players.

"I'm glad to be coaching this team and being at this university. We've got a special place here, and I think we're going to have a real special team too."

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