Texas Tech Lady Raiders Achieve First Top 25 Ranking in 13 Years
BREAKING: The Texas Tech Lady Raiders have just secured their first Top 25 ranking in 13 years, a monumental achievement for the program. This significant milestone follows an exhilarating victory over then-No. 15 Baylor, with a final score of 61-60 on December 24, 2023.
Head coach Krista Gerlich, a former star player who won a national championship with the team in 1993, expressed her pride and excitement, stating, “It’s a longtime coming… It’s been such a long process to get to this point, but well worth it.” This win not only marks the Lady Raiders’ first over the Bears since 2011 but also propels them into the rankings for the first time since 2012.
With a perfect record of 14-0, the Lady Raiders are one of the last remaining unbeaten teams in the nation. Their remarkable journey has been a testament to hard work and dedication, a fact Gerlich emphasized when she said, “We have to celebrate things we haven’t done before… To crack the Top 25 for the first time since 2012, that’s a huge feat.”
Looking ahead, the team will enjoy a brief pause for the holidays before returning to action on December 31 against Central Florida. Gerlich cautioned her players against complacency, urging them to maintain their focus and work ethic: “They can’t be satisfied and rest. We got here by keeping our nose to the grind.”
The Lady Raiders’ journey is reminiscent of Gerlich’s own experiences, and she sees parallels between her championship-winning team and her current squad. “This team reminds me of us. Reminds me how unselfish they are, how driven they are,” she remarked.
As they celebrate this historic moment, the Lady Raiders are aware of the fierce competition in the Big 12 Conference, with teams such as TCU, Iowa State, and Arizona State also having strong starts this season. Gerlich acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “It’s a gauntlet… There are also so many new coaches to the league.”
According to the latest NET ratings, Texas Tech stands at 22nd, trailing behind top-ranked UConn, followed by South Carolina, Texas, UCLA, and LSU. The NET is a crucial tool used by the NCAA selection committee to determine NCAA Tournament placements, highlighting the stakes ahead for the Lady Raiders.
This remarkable achievement is not just a win for the team but a source of pride for the entire Texas Tech community. As fans rally behind the Lady Raiders, this moment serves as a reminder of the program’s resilience and potential for greatness.
Stay tuned for updates as Texas Tech continues its promising season. Get alerts on NCAA rankings and women’s basketball developments by signing up for updates from the AP Top 25.
