Texas Tech Lady Raiders 2025-26 Season Preview and Schedule

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders are gearing up for the 2025-26 women’s basketball season with head coach Krista Gerlich at the helm. She’s heading into her sixth year, determined to finally take the team back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013.

With a mix of returning faces and some intriguing new transfers, the Lady Raiders look ready to shake things up in the Big 12 Conference. There’s a sense of cautious optimism in the air—maybe this year’s the one?

Texas Tech Lady Raiders: A New Season, New Hopes

The Lady Raiders finished last season 19-18, going just 4-14 in conference play and tying for 12th place. Even with those struggles, they still managed to reach the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals and made it to the third round of the WBIT postseason tournament.

This time around, Gerlich wants a more balanced offense. She’s hoping to lean on both her veterans and the new arrivals, mixing experience with fresh energy.

Key Returning Players

Bailey Maupin, a guard who averaged 13.6 points per game last year, stands out among the returners. She’s likely to be the engine for this squad again.

• Jalynn Bristow – G/F, 3.7 ppg
• Denae Fritz – G, 4.9 ppg
• Adlee Blacklock – G, 4.1 ppg
• Sarengbe Sanogo – F/C, 4.6 ppg
• Kalysta Martin – G, 0.9 ppg

These returning players bring experience and should play key roles in the rotation. Someone’s got to step up—who will it be?

Impactful Transfers

Several transfers have joined the Lady Raiders, and they could change the team’s dynamic fast. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Snudda Collins – G, 9.6 ppg at Ole Miss
• Gemma Núñez – G, 7.8 ppg at Campbell
• Julie Nekolná – F, 14.6 ppg at Shelton State CC
• Sidney Love – G, 10.3 ppg at UTSA
• Mariam Sanogo – G, 5.6 ppg at Canisius
• Jada Malone – F, 8.7 ppg at Texas A&M

This group should provide a much-needed boost in depth and flexibility on both ends of the floor.

Season Outlook and Expectations

The Lady Raiders want to climb the Big 12 standings this year. There’s real potential here, but it’ll depend on how quickly the new pieces mesh and how much the returners can elevate their games.

Focus on Balanced Offense

Last season, the team leaned hard on Jasmine Shavers and Bailey Maupin for scoring. Gerlich and her staff are pushing for a more even offensive attack this time.

With players like Love, Collins, and Núñez coming in, the hope is to spread out the scoring and avoid burning out just one or two players.

Enhanced Frontcourt Depth

The Lady Raiders have addressed their frontcourt depth by adding Jada Malone and the Sanogo sisters. That extra size and rebounding could make a big difference—defense and boards have been weak spots in the past.

Challenges and Opportunities

Even with the roster upgrades, the Lady Raiders have some hurdles to clear. Their Big 12 results have been all over the place, and getting to a .500 record in conference play is still a big challenge.

Watching how junior college players like Nekolná adjust to Division I will be interesting. Not every transfer clicks right away; it’s just the nature of the game.

Non-Conference Success

The Lady Raiders usually start strong in non-conference games. The real test comes when league play begins—staying consistent throughout the season is critical if they want that NCAA Tournament shot.

Leadership and Experience

Coach Gerlich’s leadership will be put to the test again. As a former national champion point guard, she knows what it takes to win at a high level.

She’s committed to bringing the program back to prominence, but it’s a tall order. Still, you get the feeling she’s not backing down anytime soon.

Conclusion

The 2025-26 season might finally be the year for the Texas Tech Lady Raiders. They’re hungry to end their NCAA Tournament drought and prove they belong among the Big 12’s best.

With a more balanced offense and deeper frontcourt, things feel different this time. Krista Gerlich’s leadership could be the spark they need for a real breakthrough.