Lady Raiders continue to make history during postseason push in WNIT
Krista Gerlich is seeing her plan come together.
Three years ago, when the former Texas Tech standout was hired to lead her alma mater, Gerlich shared her plans of how change was coming to her players.
The Spearman, Texas, native disclosed publicly that she wanted to rebuild the Lady Raiders basketball program and return it to its former glory.
The rebuild has come in many forms — first through healing a program after former coach Marlene Stollings was fired. Along with establishing and ensuring her current crop of players understood a new culture, Gerlich put together a coaching staff, most of whom she brought with her from her previous stint at UT-Arlington.
All the while, she got to know her new players in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unable to interact with her first crop of players, while recruiting became more of a challenge, due to the pandemic, Gerlich endured through it all and signed three players as part of the Class of 2021 during the early signing period Nov. 11.
Three years have gone by, which included the growing pains of losses and the bliss of wins over nationally-ranked opponents. All the while, Gerlich has established her culture of West Texas toughness along with unselfish play, while bringing in a crop of talented freshmen who could continue to carry those values into the future.
“My mom’s been saying it all offseason that when you’re building a program: the first year you lose big, the second year you lose close, hopefully this (third) year we’ll be winning close and then the fourth you win big,” Texas Tech’s Bryn Gerlich said of her mother and and Lady Raiders head coach last October during Big 12 Media Days. ”Hopefully that’s the stage we’re at.
“I think it’s really special what she’s doing because it’s building a great program and not a great team. She’s building a great program and to be part of that foundation with her is really special.”
The Lady Raiders have suffered their fair share of close losses, but secured enough victories to earn a postseason berth in the WNIT. It’s not the NCAA Tournament, but the squad — filled with one graduate student, four seniors and one junior — have helped a group of seven underclassmen — including two freshmen evolve into a cohesive unit.
More:Texas Tech closes out UTEP in WNIT opener for first postseason win in 11 years
That was evident last Thursday in a win over UTEP — marking the program’s first postseason triumph in 11 years.
"It feels great to get a postseason win on our home court. What an amazing crowd," Lady Raiders coach Krista Gerlich said last Thursday. " … (Our players) are trying to extend their season, and I thought that they did such a great job today of coming out in the first quarter and really setting the tone. I thought our defense was really pretty good all night long."
The defense improved with Katie Ferrell returning to the court after being cleared from concussion protocol. The UT Arlington graduate transfer, and one of the five seniors, played a role as some of the younger talents showed off their offensive skills.
Freshman Bailey Maupin led the way with 17 points, while senior Bre’Amber Scott chipped in 13 points. Sophomore Rhyle McKinney poured in 10 of her 12 total points in the first quarter to help Texas Tech create enough separation to secured the wire-to-wire win.
“It’s big because, ultimately, that’s who we’re doing it for,” Scott last Thursday of the underclassmen. ”Like, yeah, we have five seniors here and we want to go out winning a championship — of course. But, it’s for the future.
“It’s great to see them have confidence and knocking down shots. … I screamed at Rhylie, ’Shoot it!’ and she shot it and she made it. … It’s really great to see them have confidence and that they’re knocking down shots.”
Along with building poise, among the underclassmen, the Lady Raiders also have a chance to continuing laying a solid foundation for years to come.
Despite that, Texas Tech can still add to their historic resume with a victory — which would mark the first 20-win campaign since the 2012-13 season. That’s just another step for Krista Gerlich, who’s been pleased with her players learning how to win and, more important, expecting to win throughout the process.
The journey continues 6 p.m. Monday when the Lady Raiders (19-14) welcome SMU (17-12) for a second-round WNIT contest inside United Supermarkets Arena.
In a small twist, Texas Tech will face off against a familiar face in Chantae Embry — a former player who elected to transfer in search of better opportunities. The Norman, Oklahoma, native has thrived in her new spot, averaging 11.8 points on 50% shooting from the floor to go with 6.1 rebounds per contest. She’s one of three players netting double figures, including Jasmine Smith (12.7 points) and Florida State transfer Savannah Wilkinson (11.8 points, 7.5 rebounds).
The trio played a part in helping SMU snap a four-game losing streak by downing Arkansas Little Rock 68-42 in the opening round. The Mustangs jumped out to a 24-9 advantage and never looked back in the home win.
Texas Tech has the advantage by hosting the postseason contest and took advantage of 4,159 fans last week. Krista Gerlich feels that could be the X-factor for her squad, which is beginning to play its best basketball.
"When you have that many people in the stands yelling for you, it gives you extra adrenaline," the Lady Raiders coach said last week. "And it give you that extra oomph to hold people off when they're making a run. It gives you just that encouragement. I just am so proud of Lady Raider nation for showing up for us tonight, and I encourage them to continue to show up."
WOMEN’S NATIONAL INVITATION TOURNAMENT
Second round
When: 6 p.m. Monday
Records: Texas Tech 19-14, SMU 17-12
Online stream: ESPN+
Radio: FM 107.7
Coverage: Follow @byStephenGarcia, @cmsilvajr and @annierice_photo on Twitter for live updates, with postgame analysis and photos at lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Krista Gerlich’s plan coming to light during Lady Raiders postseason push in WNIT
