ARLINGTON, Texas - Coming off a 22-win season and a postseason trip in the Women’s NIT, UTA women's basketball is already garnering attention on the national stage. The Lady Mavs picked up votes in the USA Today Coaches' Poll, a first in program history in the preseason poll’s.
"It definitely means that we are getting people's attention," UTA coach Krista Gerlich said. "It is kind of crazy to see this early without setting a foot on the floor, but that shows a lot of respect for the people that we have coming back and the returners in what they have done since they have been here and what they are hopefully planning on doing this year. I am excited for them and our girls to get that recognition.”
The UTA men and women’s basketball programs will hold their annual media day on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at College Park Center. Attendees are asked to enter in Gate 1. The men will begin the day at 12 p.m., while the women begin at 1:15 p.m.
The recognition comes on the heels of the team's tremendous start to last year, after going undefeated through a tough five-game stretch to open the year, UTA also received votes in the national polls, as well as climbed into the top-10 of the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll.
The Lady Mavericks feature a lineup that has five seniors, including 2016-17 Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year Rebekah VanDijk and the league's Defensive Player of the Year Cierra Johnson, to go with a deep roster that is expected to be one of the favorites to challenge for the SBC title.
VanDijk is approaching becoming the program's first-ever player to record 1,000 points and rebounds in a career. The Nazareth, Texas native became the 18th member of the 1,000-point club last year. Johnson is approaching the all-time steals record, while is also on the horizon of joining VanDijk with 1,000 points.
The building excitement for the season includes a slate that is one of the toughest in the league. The Lady Mavs will travel to four Power 5 squads, two of which are in the Coaches' Poll, including NCAA Tournament host Kansas State. UTA also has exciting action against Incarnate Word, Oral Roberts, SMU, Houston, Fresno State and San Francisco at College Park Center.