Round up the fall, look ahead

Redshirt senior quarterback Eddie Marburger makes an offensive play in the game against Houston Christian University Oct. 4 at the Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg.
THE RIDER FILE PHOTO

As the fall semester comes to an end, UTRGV had an eventful season for its sports teams. From an inaugural season to shared Southland Conference champions, the teams made an impact this semester. The spring semester also brings a promising season.

Look ahead: Baseball

The UTRGV Baseball Team is set to start their season Feb. 13 against the University of Kansas at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium.

Head coach Derek Matlock said he is excited about the schedule they have.

“We are really excited about such a great conference,” Matlock said. “We are excited to see if we can go in there, have a big year and get another championship.”

For the pre-season, the team is set to compete against Texas Tech University, the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Austin.

Football

Ending the season 9-3, 5-3 (SLC), the team made history in its first season competing. While being undefeated at home, the Vaqueros were able to close out the season with a three-game winning streak.

Head coach Travis Bush said in a Nov. 23 news conference the team is a “special group.”

“They exemplify everything we wanted,” Bush said. “Just extremely proud of everything they have done, the way they have battled, the way they come together; they have done things everyone told them they couldn’t [do].”

edshirt freshman wide receiver Tony Diaz jumps to catch the ball for a touchdown at the endzone in the game against Texas Wesleyan University Sept. 20 at the Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg.
THE RIDER FILE PHOTO

Volleyball

After having a bumpy start to its pre-season, the volleyball team was able to pick up a 16-game winning streak and a shared SLC championship with Stephen F. Austin State University.

The team then headed to the conference tournament, where they ultimately fell once again to SFA. Junior setter Isabella Costantini and junior middle blocker Julianna Bryant were named SLC Volleyball All-Conference Team to close out the season.

Graduate midfielder Sam Maudsley attempts to pass the ball to sophomore forward Lisa Elowsson as the Northwestern State University Demons approach to counter-attack at the game that took place on Sept. 21 at the Soccer and Track & Field Complex on the Edinburg campus.
THE RIDER FILE PHOTO

Swimming & Diving

The Vaqueros closed out their fall season with a bang. Freshmen Dia Henderson and Sarah Bull, and sophomore Annaleagh Stahl and Ida Rudelius made a school record of 1:39:18 in the 200-freestyle relay at the Northwest Collegiate Invite hosted by the University of Idaho. Bull set another school record of 5:06:94 for the 500-freestyle. Stahl, Bull, Henderson and freshman Jaydy Jay set a school record of 3:57:66 for the 400-medley relay.

Women’s Soccer

The women’s soccer team had a harsh season but were able to conclude its season 3-6-1. Head coach Mark Foster had a medical leave of absence after the pre-season. The Vaqueros ended with a win 1-3 against Lamar University on Oct. 30. Graduate forward Savannah Frisby marked the first goal for that night.

Vaqueros junior setter Isabella Costantini (left) and junior middle blocker Julianna Bryant (right) block the Lions’ attempt to spike the ball at Oct. 16 game inside the Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus.
THE RIDER FILE PHOTO

Men’s Soccer

The men’s soccer team had a tough season as they look forward to entering the Ohio Valley Conference for Fall 2026, according to a UTRGV Athletics news release. The team faced no wins at home, a total of seven losses, two tied matches and one win. They last faced Stetson University on Oct. 28 with a score of 1-1.