Patriots Unveil 2026‑27 Campaign
The University of Texas at Tyler announced its 2026‑27 women's basketball schedule on Thursday, revealing a slate that blends non‑conference road trips with a full Lone Star Conference slate under head coach Rebecca Alvidrez.
The Patriots finished the previous season at 22‑11 overall and 16‑4 in conference play, a campaign that featured four seasons with single‑digit losses under Alvidrez, who now holds a 120‑42 record in her first five years.
Pre‑Season Tests
Preseason activity begins in October with scrimmages against Southern Arkansas and East Central, giving the squad a chance to fine‑tune before the first official contest.
Early‑Season Highlights
The regular season opens at the DII Tip‑Off Classic in Ellensburg, Washington, where UT Tyler will meet Montana State Billings and Western Washington in back‑to‑back games.
A home debut follows on November 20 against Texas A&M‑Texarkana, highlighted by an Elementary School Game that invites local students onto the court.
Mid‑Season Showdowns
In December the team travels to Hawaii for the DII College Tournament, facing Harding and Chaminade in a neutral‑site showcase that will test the Patriots against strong Division II competition.
February brings a charity contest titled “Pats for a Cause” when Texas Woman’s University visits Tyler, with proceeds earmarked for community programs.
Late‑Season Road Tests
The regular season wraps with road trips to Texas A&M International and Texas A&M‑Kingsville in late February, after which the Lone Star Conference Tournament will be held in Frisco from March 4‑7.
Player Honors and Academic Recognition
Individual accolades from the previous year include Mariah Neal’s Sixth Woman of the Year award, while Leila Davis and Polina Latysheva earned Second‑Team All‑Lone Star Conference honors; Hayley Cumming received honorable mention, and both Mileina Sablinskaite and Latysheva were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All‑District Team.
The schedule also reflects the program’s ambition to return to the NCAA Division II South Central Regionals, a stage the team reached in March 12‑15 of the previous season.