A boisterous, sold out crowd packed the seats at UTA's College Park Center on Friday in anticipation for No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers’ professional debut in the Dallas Wings 2025 season opener against the Minnesota Lynx. The University of Connecticut alum joined the Wings in the offseason as one of the team's newest rookies, following her standout collegiate career, which includes an NCAA national championship. Bueckers earned a spot in the starting lineup and recorded just shy of 30 minutes in the Wings’ first regular-season home game. She finished with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. Her first WNBA points came 46 seconds into the game, scoring on a rebound from her own missed shot to open the scoring. Despite the crowd’s unending support, the team struggled late in the game which led to a 99-84 loss against the Lynx. “We don’t want to overreact to the loss,” Bueckers said. “We also know there is a lot of things you gotta clean up and get better at, just starting it off, starting this journey and continue to build on it the next day at practice.” The game marked the Wings’ final season at College Park Center, the team’s home for the past nine seasons. The team’s previous season in the stadium ended with a 9-31 record that petered out on a nine-game losing streak. Wings guard DiJonai Carrington focused on the positives, praising the team’s effort and the bond they built. “I think we did a great job of staying together. When we got down, we were still talking to each other on the court, on the bench, whenever we huddle together,” Carrington said. “So I like that, especially from a young team, it's easy to start to go your own ways.” Carrington scored 15 points in her debut for the Wings and added four rebounds. In the second quarter, she made a crucial steal that led to a layup by Wings forward Maddy Siegrist in the final seconds of the first half, tying the game at 46. With the team having undergone roster changes for staff and players, newly appointed head coach Chris Koclanes is set on giving everyone opportunities. He said he likes the current lineup, but will continue working to find the best fit for the team. After a nail-biting first half, the Wings started to crumble under pressure. Multiple personal fouls and turnovers found the Wings down 81-66 in the final minutes of the third quarter. The Wings tried closing the gap, but the Lynx pulled away as the game neared its end. By the four-minute mark in the fourth quarter, the Wings trailed by 17. Koclanes called a timeout to assess the damage in the final moments. Back-to-back threes from Lynx guard Courtney Williams crushed the Wings’ chance of recovery as they fell 99-84. “I think for us as well as a staff, it’s a learning process, so we’re not going to be perfect early,” Koclanes said. “We’re going to learn and get better from it, how we can best support these players and put them in positions to be successful.” The Wings will return after the weekend to face the Seattle Storm at 7 p.m. Monday at College Park Center. Live streaming for the game will be available on ION. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

With their 2025 home opener set for Friday, the Dallas Wings are rolling into the summer with several changes in the works: a new staff, a rebuilt roster and one final year at College Park Center before relocating to downtown Dallas. The Wings began their partnership with CPC after relocating from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and have called Arlington home for the past nine seasons. Pending approval from the WNBA, the team will move to Dallas for the 2026 season, set to play in the heart of the city at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. The Wings struggled to find success early in their tenure in Arlington. Despite having advanced to the semifinals in 2023, the team has yet to make it through the playoffs with a positive record. With a vast roster rebuild, the team hopes to revert to winning ways. During the off season the Wings introduced Chris Koclanes as the new head coach and Curt Miller as the new general manager and executive vice president. Koclanes was previously the defensive coordinator for the Connecticut Sun and an assistant coach at the University of Southern California. Under Koclanes, the Connecticut Sun ran a bolstering defense, leading the league in defensive scoring average and defensive field goal percentage in 2021. The coach also helped the team reach the 2019 and 2022 WNBA finals. Miller is the first general manager for the team since they moved to Arlington. He served as the Los Angeles Sparks head coach for two years and worked with Koclanes as the Connecticut Sun general manager and head coach for seven seasons. “It’s fantastic being back with Curt. He’s been a tremendous mentor for me and to have that support system there, someone who’s lived this and breathed this,” Koclanes said. The two share a vision for the team and staff. Koclanes said Miller is consistently available for guidance without overstepping, and is an invaluable resource for him and the staff. The Wings also drafted five players to the roster this preseason, including No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers. DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris and NaLyssa Smith have joined the team as free agents. The Wings also obtained the reserved rights to Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, who joined as part of a four-team trade. The Wings have maintained three members from the 2024 roster: Teaira McCowan, Arike Ogunbowale and Maddy Siegrist. Ogunbowale joined the Wings out of University of Notre Dame in 2019 and became a staple for the team’s success. “I think people are catching on, and I think the players we have are gonna embody that type of style and grace and just support the city, and just put the city on the map, so I’m excited for that,” Ogunbowale said. Koclanes said he’s focused on flexibility to build a game plan that fits the roster and reflects the team’s strengths. Players already have strong chemistry, and he expects it to keep growing. The team has an autonomous dynamic, and he said he believes accountability and leadership will develop organically. Bueckers said that the team has acknowledged the challenges of a young team and is prepared for growing pains. “You never want to get used to losing, but you want to get used to learning from good games, learning from lessons, and moving forward and taking whatever you learned from the last game, the last practice, the last whatever to continue to make you better for the future,” she said. With the team’s final preseason game in the books, the Wings open up their season against the Minnesota Lynx at 6:30 p.m. Friday at College Park Center. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Arlington Renegades (3-4) faltered to No. 1 Michigan Panthers (5-2) 25-24 in the inter-conference match Saturday, crushing hopes in their last home game of the season. The game marked the fourth overall loss to Michigan, breaking a 3-3 tie between teams. Despite the loss, the Renegades were applauded by Michigan head coach Mike Nolan, who noted the team's fight throughout the game. “They played an outstanding game, they had a heck of a game plan, both sides of the ball and all the faces, my hats off to them,” Nolan said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for them.” Arlington struggled in the first half, unable to reach the end zone until the fourth quarter. Kicker Lucas Havrisik’s four field goals accounted for half of the Renegades’ points. The momentum swung on Arlington’s side in the third quarter where the team produced two field goals and recovered two fumbles to take a 12-9 lead. That energy carried into the fourth quarter with the Renegades scoring an early touchdown from wide receiver Tyler Vaughns, who caught a 29-yard deep left pass from quarterback Luis Perez. A failed two-point conversion left Arlington with an 18-9 lead. Only four touchdowns were produced between both teams. The Renegades’ lead was snatched by the Panthers on the next play after they scored on a drive, tying the match with a successful 3-point conversion. Panther quarterback Bryce Perkins was a notable threat to the Renegades’ defense. He averaged 8.2 passing yards and 7.5 rushing yards throughout the game. “That fourth quarter, we had all kinds of pressure on [Perkins], or guys grabbing him, he’d just find a way to fling it to somebody or get out,” Renegades head coach Bob Stoops said. “I don’t know how many times we thought we had him sacked or broken up, and he’d find somebody.” Arlington responded with a late fourth-quarter touchdown off a pass from Perez to tight end Sal Cannella, reclaiming the lead. The Panthers regained possession at the two-minute warning. After a series of completions and timeouts, Michigan found itself deep in Arlington territory. Perkins scrambled out the pocket and gained 10 yards to put the Panthers in scoring position. With one second on the clock, Michigan running back Toa Taua rushed up the middle for a touchdown, finding a 24-24 game. The Renegades' defense set up to hold the lead, but a successful one-point conversion sealed the game for the Panthers. “These games, win or lose, they’re always tight, close games, so I’m sure next week will be no different,” Stoops said. “Hopefully we could be on a better side of some of these calls that we’re getting, but we gotta do our part to acknowledge what can be better with us.” Arlington will return to XFL conference play against the D.C. Defenders at noon May 18 at the Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Live streaming will be available on ESPN. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Texas Rangers (16-16) dropped a four-game series 3-1 against the Athletics (17-15) with a Thursday shutout at Globe Life Field. Coming off a ninth inning collapse Wednesday, the Rangers looked to bounce back to even out the series. Texas has lost five of its seven matchups against the Athletics this season. Pitcher Tyler Mahle started on the mound, entering the game with an undefeated 3-0 record. Offensive struggles have plagued the team early in the season and continued Thursday. Absences from shortstop Corey Seager and catcher Kyle Higashioka only added to the woes. The Athletics opened the scoring early in the first inning after Mahle gave up two quick hits. After a long opening inning, he quickly bounced back. Mahle said he continued to trust his pitching, which allowed him to settle in. After a hitless first three innings, the bats came alive for the Rangers. Outfielder Wyatt Langford recorded a single to give the team and fans some life heading into the fifth. Action picked up in the fifth inning for the Rangers after Mahle recorded his fifth strikeout of the game. Second baseman Marcus Semien led off the inning with a single. In an attempt to steal second base during the next at bat, Semien was ruled out by the umpire. The close call was challenged by the Rangers and overturned. However, the Rangers were unable to capitalize on the inning. Despite having two runners in scoring position, the inning ended with no score. Bats were quiet, head coach Bruce Bochy said as he spent most of the postgame answering questions about the team’s offensive struggles. He said Thursday’s game was one of their worst. “We just got to get this thing going,” Bochy said. “I know we keep talking about it, but you know this, this was not good today.” Mahle’s afternoon ended after six innings and finished with six strikeouts. The Athletics added a run in each the seventh and eighth innings, extending their lead to 3-0 and sealing the game. From a pitching perspective, Mahle said he acknowledges the talent on the roster and believes they’ll snap out of the slump. “They are all great hitters, and they know it. It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “I don’t think anyone’s worried about it. They’re gonna turn things around and I think everyone knows that.” The Rangers will be back home to host a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at 7:05 p.m. Friday. All games will be available on CW33 and Victory+. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA baseball (14-27) lost to Texas Christian University (32-13), 3-1, Tuesday in Fort Worth. The loss halted UTA’s dominance in the local showdown, drawing an even 3-3 split in the last six matchups. Head coach Mike Trapasso said despite the loss, the emphasis of the team’s focus is conference play on the weekends. “It’s a midweek game for both of us, and midweek games, there’s a different mindset,” Trapasso said. “It’s about trying to stay sharp, get some guys some work that maybe haven’t had work on the weekends.” The Mavericks struggled early, being held hitless by the Horned Frogs’ defense until the top of the fourth inning. The game was fast-paced with both teams recording frequent groundouts and strikes. Noah Franco, Texas Christian freshman pitcher and first baseman, recorded the game’s first hit in the second inning. With a sacrifice fly, Franco opened the game’s scoring to give them a 1-0 lead. Despite allowing nine hits, UTA only gave up three runs. However, their offense continued to struggle throughout the game. The teams went on a stalemate, going scoreless for four innings. “I mean, we just faced a really good staff. We obviously have to do a little bit better just battling [at bats] out and being tough, but credit to these guys,” said Tyce Armstrong, redshirt junior first baseman and infielder. Junior infielder Xavier Melendez said he was excited to be back from injury, contributing to the defensive effort with nine putouts. In the bottom of the seventh, Texas Christian added a run. Senior pitcher Aaron Calhoun began the inning by hitting a pitcher, advancing him to first base. After a couple of stolen bases, Calhoun gave up an RBI single to score the runner home. The Horned Frogs added another run in the eighth inning to extend their lead to 3-0. Looking to make the most of the team’s final at-bats, the Mavericks finally scored a run in the ninth inning from sophomore outfielder Jackson Hill. However, UTA was unable to capitalize on the momentum in the end. The Mavericks will resume conference play this weekend with a three-game series against Utah Valley University starting at 6 p.m. Friday at Clay Gould Ballpark. “I think we’re starting to play our best baseball at the right time. We got a good group going into the conference tournament,” Melendez said. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The “portaling” season is about maintaining the balance of putting the last season behind everyone and building off it to improve the team. On April 17, UTA women’s basketball announced the signing of the Reynolds sisters — Mila, Amiyah and Kira — from South Bend, Indiana. Mila and Amiyah Reynolds, transfers from Purdue University, spent two years together at the school and were expecting to complete the trifecta after incoming freshman Kira Reynolds originally committed to the Boilermakers, too. However, all three ultimately decommitted and decided to bring their talents to Arlington. The Lady Mavericks are coming off a season where they made a Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship game appearance. Although falling short, the team received a bid to participate in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament that included a home win against University of the Incarnate Word. Head coach Shereka Wright said she believes the team’s success was a key piece in recruiting the trio, making the sisters want to buy into the program’s culture. Kira Reynolds highlighted the importance of playing collegiate basketball with her sisters, which UTA helped them do. “I’m a very family-oriented person. My whole entire family, we’re all very close,” she said. “My sisters are my best friends. So, when I went down to UTA, they are also family-oriented and had a very good, comfortable feel.” On Jan. 4, the highly-touted freshman recorded the first quintuple-double in Indiana history. Kira Reynolds recorded 14 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists, 11 steals and 10 blocks. The sisters each bring a unique style of play to the court. Mila Reynolds, a 6-foot-3-inch forward, can stretch the floor with her ability to “flat out shoot the ball,” Wright said. Wright is excited to see what she does for the team after dealing with injury a season ago. Kira Reynolds called Amiyah Reynolds, the middle sister, the captain of the trio, with her high basketball IQ. Wright called her the “midrange assassin,” a complement to Mila Reynolds’ shooting skills from behind the arc. Behind many sports families is a father who shares the limelight. Steve Reynolds is the man behind the sisters’ basketball acumen, having coached them in high school and hinted that he might join the Lady Mavericks coaching staff. “My dad, for the most part, taught me literally everything I know, including my sisters,” Kira Reynolds said. “Being able to go to this next level and have him there with me, as he’s been there with me the entire way, it just also made me feel very secure.” The signings are massive not only for the women’s basketball program, but for all of UTA athletics. In addition to the talent level the team has acquired on the court, portal signings of this magnitude could influence other players to transfer to Arlington. Wright said the Lady Mavericks will continue to add necessary pieces to complement the six returning players to help the team compete for championships. “I think this is probably the highest ranked student athletes that we’ve had here at UTA, and a lot of excitement around it,” she said. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Behind the signage of logos, sponsors and partners on Globe Life Field’s outfield is Brian Nephew’s team. The Arlington native and lifelong Texas Rangers fan said he got lucky in landing his current position. As a UTA alumnus and vice president of partnerships for the Rangers, Nephew is a true American Dream City product. After starting in ticket sales almost a decade ago, Nephew now oversees the team’s day-to-day sales efforts and partnerships with nearly 200 brands, including Coca-Cola, T-Mobile, SeatGeek and Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company, who own the naming rights to the Rangers’ home ballpark. “I just fell in love with [baseball], probably just early on,” he said. “I just loved watching the Rangers growing up and turning on Sunday Night Baseball at home and watching all the pro teams, but specifically the Rangers.” He credits his time playing baseball at UTA for teaching him lessons not only in the sports industry but in life in general. It’s no secret what the 2023 World Series run meant for Rangers fans and the City of Arlington. Capturing its first championship in franchise history, the team ended its drought of being the MLB’s oldest organization without a title. Nephew called the championship run the best month of his life. “It was my professional and my personal career, my lives kind of crashing,” he said. “A decade with the team and being in Arlington my whole life, it was unbelievable.” The run has set even higher expectations for Nephew and the rest of the organization. “The easy way to put it is that the expectations now after winning the World Series in ‘23 is that we want to be a top five franchise in Major League Baseball,” he said. However, the Rangers face a unique challenge in achieving so. As of March 2025, the team ranks as the 12th most valuable MLB franchise, according to Forbes. Although Arlington is a hub for sports entertainment, most teams ahead of them are considered “major markets”: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Philadelphia to name a few. Being neighbored with the most valuable in all sports, the Dallas Cowboys could also be a challenge for the Rangers. Nephew credits his time playing baseball at UTA for teaching him lessons not only in the sports industry but in life in general. Ray Casas, Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation community impact director, said he and Nephew take a lot of pride in being UTA alumni. “Growing up with the Rangers in our backyard, going to college at UTA and then getting to win a World Series ring, it’s pretty special,” Casas said. K.J. Hendricks, Los Angeles Angels scout and former UTA baseball player, served as Nephew’s assistant coach for his junior and senior seasons. Unlike Nephew, Hendricks was drafted to the MLB in 2002 and spent six seasons in the minor leagues. However, Nephew’s senior season had teams looking in his direction. In 2011, Nephew was selected to the All-Southland Conference second team in his senior season at UTA. On the mound, he played as a third baseman and was a strong hitter, finishing fourth in the regular conference that season with a .356 batting average. He also recorded 31 RBIs and led the Mavericks with 105 total bases. Playing professional baseball was always his goal, but not being drafted was a wake-up call. Despite not making the MLB, Nephew said everything worked out for the best. “Closing that chapter and going to the next corporate life kind of turned the page to make some money and get out of debt and all that stuff,” he said. “That was a big impact, it kind of changed my life.” Despite his talent, Hendricks best remembers Nephew for his leadership on and off the field. “The biggest thing that doesn’t do justice when you look at the stats with Brian is he was a good team leader. He galvanized guys, he brought good energy,” Hendricks said. “You've got to have those good locker room guys to help push the others forward and hold them accountable and encourage them and do all those things. Brian did a lot of those naturally.” Nephew’s principles as a teammate have carried into his future, regarding how he runs operations and treats his team. Nephew hopes to spend his entire career with the Rangers, the organization that has meant so much to him and his family. He met his wife, Bethany Nephew, during his tenure with the team and the pair have a son, Madden Nephew. She works with Casas, serving as the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation foundation event director. “The most important thing that I’ve learned is, now that I’m in a leadership role, just being vulnerable, being able to be a good teammate and be accountable for your colleagues,” he said. “If you do that, then everything else will take care of itself.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

With the semester winding down, softball, baseball and track and field look to finish their regular seasons strong. Here is the schedule for Tuesday through May 5. Baseball UTA baseball looks to continue its success against Texas Christian University at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas. The Mavericks defeated the Horned Frogs earlier in the season 6-4. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+. The team will then prepare for a three-game series against conference foe Utah Valley University starting 6 p.m. Friday at Clay Gould Ballpark. The series will continue 2 p.m. Saturday with the finale at noon Sunday. Softball The softball team will finish its regular season with a three-game series against Seattle University at Allan Saxe Field. The series will start with a doubleheader at 3 and 5:30 p.m. Friday and the finale will take place noon Saturday. All games will be available to stream on ESPN+. Track and field Track and field will compete in the TCU Horned Frog Invitational on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas as its final meet before Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Arlington Renegades (3-2) took on the DC Defenders (4-1) on Sunday in a deciding game for first place in the United Football League. Arlington lost 37-33. Quarterback Luis Perez threw a 63-yard touchdown to wide receiver Deontay Burnett. The Renegades would score a field goal, gaining an 11-0 lead. Arlington scored four times on their first five drives, with three touchdowns and a field goal. But cracks began to show in the second half as offense couldn’t keep up with the Defenders. “You gotta give their coaching staff and players credit for making plays and hanging in there to give their self a chance to come back,” Renegades head coach Bob Stoops said. At the start of the third quarter, D.C. led a comeback attempt to stop Arlington and score a touchdown, bringing the game within seven points. Both teams traded scores repeatedly before the quarter ended with the Renegades leading by eight going into the fourth. Defensive end Chris Odom said the team’s defense will need to improve its play in the future. “That’s not our standard,” Odom said. “That’s not the best of our abilities that we’ve been playing the last four weeks. We’ll watch the film and clean it up.” After two Renegades field goals, D.C. brought the game within three points with a touchdown and a successful conversion attempt. The Defenders got the ball back with two minutes left in the fourth quarter in a drive that would decide the game. D.C. would score a touchdown and get a successful one-point conversion to go up 37-33 with 57 seconds left in the game. Arlington went down the field on their last possession, but after Perez was intercepted with 10 seconds left, the game was sealed. “We got to make sure we stay locked in above the neck and make sure we do our part,” he said. Perez finished the game with 268 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Running back Kalen Ballage had 79 yards on 10 attempts with one touchdown run. The Renegades will hit the road for their next game 7 p.m. Friday against the St. Louis Battlehawks. @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Kara Dill, UTA softball head coach, will join the Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s coaching staff for its inaugural season. Launching in June, four teams will play 24 games in the professional women’s softball league. Athletes Unlimited is an organization dedicated to empowering women’s sports. The league also partnered with ESPN to stream at least 18 games. Amid the rising popularity of women’s sports, the new league will allow softball players to play professionally without traveling overseas. “I don’t think it’s a question that people think softball players deserve a chance to continue playing at the pro level,” Dill said. “They haven’t even reached the peak of their athleticism by the time they graduate.” Currently in her third season at the helm for UTA softball, Dill will serve as the associate head coach for team Blaze. She said she will be responsible for managing its matchups and rotations. Having prior coaching experience in a professional softball league, Dill said she has seen what the sport has to offer for athletes. She credits the relationships she’s made for the opportunity to coach in the league. The league plans on expanding into a city-based league in 2026, creating home bases for each team. In its inaugural season, teams Blaze, Bandits, Talons and Volts will travel to 10 cities to play games, including Seattle, Chicago and Austin, Texas. Accepting the position comes with a sacrifice for Dill. Traveling with the league means she’ll be away from UTA during the summer, which is prime recruiting time. However, Dill said she will continue recruiting with the help of her staff. “It wouldn’t be something that I would do if it was going to pull away from UTA or my job here or my athletes here,” Dill said. “They are my number one priority, so having an opportunity where both things can work together is really a dream come true.” Dill hopes the opportunity can help her as a coach while establishing a legacy and said she understands the weight of being a part of something that hasn’t been done before. “Understanding, ‘How can I contribute to the sustainability of this league?,” she said. “I think that will be something that will be really impactful for me and for the summer.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA men’s golf has wrapped up its regular season and now sets its sights on the 2025 Western Athletic Conference Men’s Golf Championship. The team will travel to Payson, Arizona, to compete from Friday through Sunday at Chaparral Pines for an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I men’s golf tournament. The Mavericks enter the tournament as the No. 8 seed in a nine-team pool. Led by first-year head coach Logan Goulding, the team will have to defy their seeding and overcome No. 1 seed Grand Canyon University, which is looking to three-peat as WAC champions, to win the tournament. The Mavericks struggled in the spring season, failing to earn a top 10 team finish throughout. The team’s best performance was at the Bentwater Intercollegiate in February, resulting in a 12th place team finish. UTA concluded its regular season with a 17th place finish in the El Macero Classic hosted by the University of California, Davis. Last season, the Mavericks finished seventh in the WAC Tournament, despite finishing the first round in first place. The team was tied for second after the second round before faltering in the final round. The tournament is scheduled for three rounds and will tee off at 8:30 a.m. Friday with UTA kicking off at 10:10 a.m. alongside Tarleton State University and Southern Utah University. Live scoring will be available on Golfstat.com. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Dallas Wings ushered in their 2025 Draft Class with an introductory press conference Wednesday at Dallas City Hall. Headlined by No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, the rookie class introduced itself to Wings faithful and media. The organization’s newcomers were accompanied by its front office, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and teammates. The five rookies were gifted signature cowboy hats on behalf of the City of Dallas. The conference symbolized new beginnings for the franchise. Heading into their final season at College Park Center, the Wings are under new leadership and now, a new face of the team. “The opening of the presents seems fitting because, as mentioned in the press conference nine days ago, after we had the draft class secured that evening, that whole day felt like Christmas Day,” Curt Miller, Wings executive vice president and general manager said. “Well, if it was Christmas nine days ago, certainly, today feels like New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, with the optimism and all the momentum around the Dallas Wings.” Wings CEO Greg Bibb was the first to address the media and fans. He highlighted the team’s moves in the offseason, including hiring Miller, the franchise’s first-ever general manager, new head coach Chris Koclanes and a flurry of player acquisitions with the largest trade in WNBA history. However, the move from College Park Center to Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center reigns over all. “It was one year ago tomorrow, Dallas City Council unanimously approved a historic 15-year use and incentive agreement between the city and the Wings,” Bibb said. “This agreement marked the largest partnership investment by a municipality into a women’s professional sports organization in the history of North American sports.” The newest Wings players expressed their excitement to don their new hats with cowboy boots, embracing their soon-to-be home. On the court, Bueckers said she’s excited to get to work with her teammates, particularly with guard Arike Ogunbowale. “She’s electric, can score at all three levels,” Bueckers said about Ogunbowale. “So, looking to assist her a lot. Space the floor, get her open looks, play off each other, but just excited for everybody on the team. We got some dogs, so just excited to build that in camp.” Bueckers put pen to paper Tuesday when she signed her rookie contract with the team. The guard signed a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option. Heading into his first season as a head coach, Koclanes reiterated the character of all five draftees, echoing the sentiment, “you win with people first.” He vowed to earn his players’ trust and emboldened them to lean on what got them to the WNBA. “Each one of them, they lead with a gratitude and an appreciation and a humility. While at the same time competing with a confidence and a fearlessness, and that balance is extremely unique,” he said. “We’re so excited to add that.” The Wings now look forward to training camp, scheduled to begin Sunday before playing its first preseason game May 2. Eighteen players on the current roster will compete for 12 spots, the league’s maximum. Bueckers, a projected starter from day one, is ready to face the heat of being the star of the Wings in a media market like Dallas. When asked about her thoughts on being the hottest topic in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, she highlighted the stark difference from where she grew up and played collegiate ball. “I would say the weather is probably hotter than me,” she said. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA tennis wrapped up its season at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, highlighted by a mix of highs and lows for both the men’s and women’s teams. Despite losing the final match, the women’s team defied tournament expectations on their way to an exhilarating run to the championship, including an upset in the semifinals over No. 2 Tarleton State University. After a 7-9 regular season record, UTA carried the No. 3 seed into the WAC Tournament. Although dropping the final game of the regular season against Tarleton State, the Mavericks regained momentum as tournament hosts. The Mavericks were determined to reach and win the championship after falling short in the semifinals the past two years. The team found success in the first two rounds of the tournament, sweeping No. 6 Utah Tech University 4-0 in the quarterfinals. The semifinal was a nail-biter, upsetting Tarleton State 4-2. Despite losing the doubles point, UTA clawed back with decisive victories by freshman Maria Lucia Araoz-Gosn and senior Ioana Dumitrescu in singles. With heavy rain incoming, the April 19 championship match was moved to the Southern Methodist University indoor courts. Dumitrescu said she felt the move put the team at a disadvantage. In the finals against top seed Grand Canyon University, the team dropped a tough doubles point to fall in a hole early. Down 0-1, the Mavericks struggled to regain momentum in singles, losing the championship game 4-0. “I really believe that if the circumstances were different, maybe it was a different result,” Dumitrescu said. Despite the loss, she praised the team’s performance throughout tournament play. “The new team dynamic, it was wonderful to see everybody fighting and giving their best every time,” she said. The women’s team will undergo a vast roster reconstruction with four seniors on this year’s team: Dumitrescu, Nika Novikova, Mialy Ranaivo and Ana Paula Jimenez. All but Ranaivo have confirmed their time at UTA has come to an end. For head coach Diego Benitez, work toward next season has already begun. He has signed five incoming players and added that more may join the team in the near future. “We will have a strong team next year, the same way that we had one this year,” he said. As for the men’s team, a surprising semifinal loss crushed their goal of accomplishing something special. The team finished the regular season with a 10-9 record, earning the No. 2 seed in the WAC Tournament. The team was primed for a three-peat after winning the tournament the past two years. Although falling to Abilene Christian University in the semifinals, the team recorded two regular season wins over the Wildcats, including a 4-3 win just weeks before being knocked out of the tournament. Benitez said, despite defeating Abilene Christian twice, the matches were close both times. His team didn’t come with the same energy they did in the past. Sophomore Meethre Barot said he felt Abilene Christian played with something to prove, not wanting to lose a third time. He said his team could’ve done a better job staying mentally and physically present without feeling the pressure to three-peat. “They came out with nothing to lose. We maybe got tight at some moments, but it was tough overall,” Barot said. Despite neither team coming away with the championship title, the opportunity to host the tournament was special for UTA tennis. “It’s such an advantage that we have playing at home with all our staff coming up, all you guys coming to cheer for us, so we are so grateful for that,” sophomore Andres Medus said. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

With UTA tennis and women’s golf seasons coming to an end, men’s golf heads into a big week competing in the Western Athletic Conference championship. Track and field is also in action, while baseball and softball prepare for ranked matchups and conference play. Here is the schedule for Tuesday through Sunday. Men’s golf The men’s golf team will swing into the WAC Men’s Golf Championship from Friday through Sunday in Payson, Arizona. Baseball UTA baseball looks to snap a four-game losing streak against No. 23 University of Arizona at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Tucson, Arizona. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+. The team will head to Phoenix for a three-game series against WAC rival Grand Canyon University Friday through Sunday. The first two games are set for 7 p.m. with the finale at noon. Softball The softball team also looks to break a five-game losing streak against No. 14 Texas Tech University at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Lubbock, Texas. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+. The team will finish the week with a three-game series in Cedar City, Utah, against Southern Utah University, beginning with a doubleheader at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The finale will be played at 1 p.m. Sunday. The series will be available to stream on ESPN+. Track and field Track and field will participate in the Joe Gillespie Invitational hosted by Tarleton State University Friday and Saturday. For more details, visit Tarleton State’s website. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

No. 3 UTA women’s tennis fell to No. 1 Grand Canyon University, 4-0, in the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament championship game Saturday at Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex in Dallas. Despite the season’s end, head coach Diego Benitez said he is proud of how the team stepped up and acted as a unit throughout. “It’s a season that I’m going to remember forever because of all the adversity that we had to go through,” Benitez said. Benitez said Grand Canyon University was a tough opponent and wishes them the best of luck representing the WAC in the NCAA Tournament. Doubles was the closest it got all game. Duo senior Nika Novikova and freshman Maria Lucia Araoz-Gosn took UTA’s sole doubles point, winning their set 6-3. The other two UTA duos faltered under pressure, with junior Valeriia Ivanovskaia and senior Mialy Ranaivo falling 6-4 to Grand Canyon University’s sophomore Gala Arangio and freshman Karina Hofbauer in the deciding set. Due to weather conditions, the match was moved to an indoor court, which senior Ioana Dumitrescu said put the team at a disadvantage. Doubles play was close, but she said a few dropped points made the difference. Despite a brief intermission when the court’s lights temporarily shut off, the team failed to rally and win a singles match. Novikova and Araoz-Gosn recorded the only winning sets before the rest were cut short. Coming into the match, Grand Canyon University was looking for a three-peat. “They have been winning the tournament for three years in a row, so we knew that they were gonna be tough and they were gonna fight till the end,” senior Ana Paula Jimenez said. Dumitrescu was the first to fall in singles, dropping straight sets to Grand Canyon University junior Dania Deaifi, the 2025 Western Athletic Conference Women’s Tournament most outstanding player. Ivanovskaia and Ranavio fell next in straight sets, ultimately ending the match to earn Grand Canyon University the title. The team gathered to console one another, eyes filled with tears, yet heads held high as they thanked their supporters. With this loss, the Mavericks’ run came to an end and brought their 2025 season to a close. The team will bid farewell to Dumitrescu, Jimenez and Novikova. “They came to practice every day giving it all. In each matches, day in and day out, there was no one occasion that they did not play their hardest,” Benitez said. “So proud of that. This is a great group of girls.” The focus now shifts to the future, with fresh talent on the horizon and talks of new arrivals, he said. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

No. 2 UTA men’s tennis season came to an end Friday at the hands of No. 3 Abilene Christian University at the Arlington Tennis Center. The Mavericks headed into the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Tennis Tournament semifinals in hopes of advancing to the championship match and claiming a three-peat. In the regular season, the Mavericks defeated the Wildcats twice, dismantling them 6-1 on the road and escaping 4-3 at UTA Tennis Center. The third time was the charm at 4-2 for Abilene Christian University. UTA got off to a strong start in doubles, earning two victories to clinch the early point. Duo sophomore Meethre Barot and senior Pedro Sasso struck first, winning their match 6-3. Senior Daniel Pérez-Caraballo and freshman Federico Garbero sealed doubles with a 6-4 win. “[We] came with some really big energy and it was tough,” head coach Diego Benitez said. “We won the doubles point and it seemed like we were gonna have another one in the bag.” The downward spiral for the Mavericks began in singles. Sophomore Andres Medus was the lone bright spot for UTA, earning a win in straight sets. His win regained the lead for the team 2-1. With three matches ongoing, UTA needed two to secure the victory and earn their spot in the championship match. However, Barot, Garbero, Sasso and freshman Mattia Ricci all dropped their matches, resulting in the loss. Medus said, despite the loss, the team is grateful for the opportunity to play in front of a pro-UTA atmosphere. In addition to the challenges of beating a team three times in one season, Barot said the opportunity for a three-peat was in the back of the team’s minds. “We were favored in this match too, so they came out with nothing to lose,” he said. “Maybe we got tight at some moments, but it was tough overall.” Although coming up short of the ultimate goal, the team’s overarching theme was a sense of pride in each other. “I just want to make sure that we go back to basics, drawing board, and start working hard for next year. Get a good offseason, work hard in the summer and then get ready for the next year. That’s all we can really do,” Benitez said. “I’m proud of them and I think that it was a very successful season.” @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

No. 3 UTA women’s tennis upset No. 2 Tarleton State University to clinch a 4-2 win Friday at the Arlington Tennis Center. The team secured its spot in the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament championships final Saturday against No. 1 seed Grand Canyon University. After dropping a hard-fought doubles point, the Mavericks clawed their way back in singles play with gritty performances. Head coach Diego Benitez said he appreciates the battles against in-state rival Tarleton and looks forward to representing Texas in the tournament final. “Tarleton is such a tough team. Every time we play, it’s just big battles,” Benitez said. “We’re very glad to have a rivalry with them so close from home, so it’s a great team. Big respect for the coaches and the players.” UTA’s room for error shrank after a 1-0 finish in doubles. The Mavericks came back with three thrilling singles victories. After a difficult opening round in doubles, senior Ana Paula Jimenez rebounded in singles to set the tone for her teammates. She was the first to complete her matchup en route to a victory in straight sets, securing UTA’s first point. Jimenez said playing under the windy conditions the day prior helped prepare her to take advantage of the conditions during Friday’s match. Junior Valeriia Ivanovskaia followed Jimenez’s lead, boasting two 6-3 wins, furthering the lead for the Mavericks. However, Tarleton freshman Maria Castano won the team’s lone singles victory, tying the match at 2-2 in straight sets over UTA senior Nika Novikova. The dropped point shifted the pressure to the three remaining Mavericks. After UTA freshman Maria Lucia Araoz-Gosn won her first set 6-1, she said physical ailments took a toll in the second set. “I was getting very tired, I couldn’t breathe,” she said. “I also started cramping in both of my legs. My game is very physical also, so that affected me a lot, but I brought myself back together because I did not want to play a third set.” Despite the setbacks, Araoz-Gosn’s determination to avoid a third set carried her to a 6-3 win, with UTA needing one more point for the victory. All eyes shifted to senior Ioana Dumitrescu. After Dumitrescu took the first singles set 6-1, TSU’s junior Ximena Morales had other plans, storming back to win the second set 6-3. The struggles continued for Dumitrescu to begin the third set. She dug herself into a 0-2 deficit with all focus on her match. However, with her teammates rallying behind her, Dumitrescu reignited her fire from the opening set and battled back to win six straight games, bringing home the victory for UTA 4-2. Benitez awarded Dumitrescu the match’s “MVP” chain for closing the deal for the Mavericks. “Having people to hold you from the back and give you that extra motivation and support that, maybe in the moment, you don’t have the energy to do it, it gives you better wins,” Dumitrescu said. The team will face Grand Canyon University in the title game at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex at Southern Methodist University’s campus due to impending weather. The match will be available to stream on Western Athletic Conference International. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Texas Rangers (12-7) defeated the Los Angeles Angels (9-9), 5-3 on Thursday at Globe Life Field, sweeping the season’s first home division series. Aside from an opening day blimp against the Boston Red Sox, the Rangers have been unbeatable at home, improving to 9-1 at Globe Life Field to start the season. Pitcher Kumar Rocker got the start Thursday, looking to secure his first win of the season. After allowing a run in the first inning, Rocker settled in for the remainder of the game. Manager Bruce Bochy said Rocker had good command with his pitches and was pleased with his ball placement. “He hit the outside corner very well with [breaking ball],” Bochy said. “That’s the biggest thing, I talk about it all the time, his location. He had really good location tonight.” It didn’t take long for the Rangers to even up the game. Second baseman Marcus Semien scored a run from a sacrifice fly from outfielder Adolis García, tying the game at one apiece by the bottom of the first. Texas added a few runs in the second inning ignited by outfielder Leody Taveras’ double that rang in fellow outfielder Dustin Harris and infielder Jake Burger. The Rangers would maintain the lead the rest of the game. García nuked the first of two Rangers home runs in the first at-bat of the third inning, extending their lead 4-1. While momentum pointed in the Rangers’ favor, Rocker struggled to maintain control of the game in the fifth inning, and allowed two runs, both with two outs on the board, on four hits. The Angels drew closer, 4-3. In the seventh inning, shortstop Corey Seager’s 100th home run as a Ranger sealed the deal. Seager took advantage of an Angels’ pitching change, bombing the very first pitch 427 feet into center field. The score gave Texas more breathing room, leading 5-3. “He’s one of the best hitters I’ve seen,” Bochy said. “He’s fun to watch. He’s simple and he has an incredible ability to get a good part of batting the ball. Tremendous power, uses the whole field too. He’s a special player and we’re lucky to have him.” Rocker’s night ended after seven innings pitched, finishing with eight strikeouts while only allowing five hits and three runs. He earned his first win of his career. “That’s a great way to get your first win, to go seven innings,” Bochy said. “We were all happy for him, how he threw the ball. He’s got the stuff to be a really nice major league pitcher and can be a dominant one, and he showed that tonight.” Bochy also marked a milestone, notching his 2,183rd win in his career as a manager. He is now tied seventh all-time with Dusty Baker, former Houston Astros manager. The Texas Rangers will be back to host the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series starting 7:05 p.m. Friday at Globe Life Field. The game will be available to stream on CW33 and Victory+. @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA women’s tennis swept No. 6 Utah Tech University 4-0 in their quarterfinal matchup of the Western Athletic Conference Women's Tennis Championships on Thursday at the Arlington Tennis Center. A warm, windy day set the scene at the hub of WAC tennis for the weekend. The Mavericks entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed. Head coach Diego Benitez said he was proud of the team’s performance, despite noticing nerves. “I think that it’s always a little bit tough to play the first round because it’s a lot of nerves that you gotta deal with,” Benitez said. “I think we got our feet wet in that department today, and hopefully tomorrow we can play a little more relaxed.” UTA got off to a hot start, earning the first point of the match with two doubles victories. Junior Valeriia Ivanovskaia and senior Mialy Ranaivo made quick work of their opponents, winning their doubles match 6-1. Soon after, senior Nika Novikova and freshman Maria Lucia Araoz-Gosn won 6-3 to clinch the doubles point for the Mavericks. Both teams duked it out in singles, fighting tooth and nail on all six courts. The duo, Novikova and Araoz-Gosn, continued their dominance in singles, beating their opponents in straight sets. Despite the team’s overall dominance, senior Ana Paula Jimenez struggled to gain momentum against UTU’s sophomore Mariana Zurita. After losing the first set 6-4, a talk with Benitez strengthened the senior’s efforts, finding herself tied 3-3 in the second set. However, the match was halted with the Mavericks claiming the victory. “It was really windy today and her game, it was kind of tricky because she was hitting flat and so short and low, so with the wind it was even worse,” Jimenez said when talking about her singles opponent. “I couldn’t figure out how to play her, but I feel like with time, I got more adapted to the conditions and I was finding my way.” Senior Ioana Dumitrescu’s match was the last one counted, defeating her opponent in decisive fashion. After winning the first set 6-4, Dumitrescu took control of the second with a 5-1 lead. Despite her opponent’s effort to make a comeback, Dumitrescu put the match away 6-3, throwing her hat to the ground in triumph and letting out a victory cry. “It’s a huge deal in my last year, and the intensity is over the sky,” Dumitrescu said. “To get the team to move over on semifinals, it means a lot.” Benitez presented an “MVP” chain to Novikova for her dominance in singles and doubles. With the chain on her neck, she led her team to stamp their place in the semifinals on the WAC bracket. The team will face No. 2 seed Tarleton State University at 11 a.m. Friday at the Arlington Tennis Center for a chance to advance to the championship match. The teams split the regular season series, 1-1. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Baylor University (23-13) snapped UTA baseball’s (13-20) five-game win streak 9-8 in extra innings Tuesday at Clay Gould Ballpark. After being tied 8-8 at the end of regulation, an RBI from Cortlan Castle, Baylor University senior catcher, made the difference in the game. The Mavericks couldn’t overcome the deficit in the 10th inning. Head coach Mike Trapasso said the team’s errors and missed plays ultimately led to the loss. “Every close game comes down to three or four, what I call, ‘crisis pitches,’” Trapasso said. “When you win the majority of those, you win the game. We just didn’t do that.” The Bears jumped to a fast start, scoring three runs on three hits in the first inning. However, the rest of the game was a back-and-forth affair. Heading into the bottom of the third inning, Baylor University led 4-3 until the Mavericks seemingly blew the game open with four runs. Tyce Armstrong, redshirt junior first baseman, led the way with a home run to tie the game at 4-4. Armstrong recorded three hits in four at-bats, contributing two runs. “This weekend I struggled a little bit. I wasn’t feeling myself. I came in yesterday and I just got in the lab and tried to fine tune things, start a little bit earlier and it helped tonight,” he said. Despite the Mavericks’ momentum, the team went scoreless for the next four innings, while the Bears took four unanswered runs in the seventh inning. UTA dug deep in the eighth inning to muster a run through a wild pitch from Baylor University, tying the game 8-8. With neither team able to score in the ninth, the game went into extras. In the top of the tenth inning, a throwing error by redshirt freshman pitcher Ty Zahradnik aided an unearned run for the Bears that was eventually the dagger. UTA left a man on base in the bottom of the inning, unable to capitalize and faltering the game. “I’m super confident that we’re a solid baseball team and we’re playing better,” Trapasso said. “Let’s just start another win streak. Conference is what really matters.” UTA will resume conference play, hosting Abilene Christian University for a three-game series starting 6 p.m. Thursday at Clay Gould Ballpark. The game will be streamed on Western Athletic Conference International. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu