UCSB Gauchos Women’s Basketball: A Team on the Rise

The UCSB Gauchos women’s basketball team is one of the most up-and-coming programs in the country. Thanks to the hard work of Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson and her staff, the Gauchos have made tremendous strides in recent years and are poised for even more success in the future.

UCSB Gauchos Women’s Basketball: A Team on the Rise

Since the UCSB Gauchos women’s basketball team’s inception in 1974, the team has made strides both on and off the court.

On the court, the Gauchos have seen significant success in recent years The team has won three Big West conference championships in the last five years and made three trips to the NCAA tournament in that span. In 2018, the Gauchos upset then-No. 11 Stanford in the first round of the NCAA Tournament marking the program’s first ever win in the tournament.

Off the court, the Gauchos have also been making waves. In 2016, then-head coach Bonnie Henrickson was named Big West Coach of the Year, becoming just the second coach in program history to earn that honor. Henrickson led the Gauchos to their first ever appearance in the WNIT in 2017 and guided them to a school-record 21 wins in 2018. She was also named one of 25 “Women Who Will Shape college basketball” by Lindy’s Sports Annuals prior to the 18-19 season

Under Henrickson’s leadership, and with a core group of talented players returning for 2019-20, there is no doubt that UCSB women’s basketball is a team on the rise.

The Gauchos’ Journey to the Top

The Gauchos have had a tough journey to the top. Starting off as a Division III team, they had to work their way up to Division I. After years of practice and determination, they have finally reached the top. The UCSB Gauchos Women’s Basketball team is currently ranked 3rd in the nation.

The Gauchos’ success is due to their strong team spirit and hard work They are a close-knit group of girls who are always there for each other, on and off the court. They have faced many challenges together and have come out stronger each time.

The Gauchos are currently on a Winning Streak but they know that there is still more work to be done. They are focused and driven, and they will not stop until they achieve their ultimate goal: winning the NCAA championship

The Gauchos’ Star Players

UCSB Gauchos women’s basketball team is composed of some of the most talented and hardworking players in the nation. In recent years the team has risen in ranking and is now considered one of the top teams in the country. Some of the Gauchos’ star players include:

-Junior forward Natasha Gordon, who was named Big West Player of the Year in 2019. She is a versatile player who can score from anywhere on the court.
-Sophomore guard Talia Taufaasau, who was named Big West Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. She is an excellent perimeter defender and is also lethal on offense, averaging 14 points per game
-Senior guard Sarah Bates, who is a Three-point shooting specialist. She holds the school record for most three-pointers made in a season and is one of the most accurate shooters in NCAA Division I basketball.

The Gauchos’ Coaching Staff

The UCSB Gauchos women’s Basketball team has seen a lot of success in recent years, and a big part of that is due to the Coaching Staff The Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson, is in her fourth season with the Gauchos and has led the team to three consecutive Big West Conference Championships. Her assistant coaches are Jaline Peterson, who is in her second season with the team, and Sam Juanich, who is in his first season. Both Peterson and Juanich have been instrumental in helping the Gauchos reach new heights.

The Gauchos’ Gameplan

The UCSB Gauchos women’s basketball team is a squad on the rise. With a strong mix of returners and newcomers, the Gauchos are looking to take their game to the next level this season.

Led by senior forwards Drew Edelman and Sofia Carrera-Justiz, the Gauchos have a nice blend of experience and youth. Edelman, who was named the Big West Conference Preseason Player of the Year, is one of the Top Players in the conference. She averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds per game last season and will be looked upon to lead the team once again this year. Carrera-Justiz is also a experienced player who does a little bit of everything for UCSB. She averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game last year and will be looked to as one of the Gauchos’ primary playmakers this season.

In addition to their two senior leaders, UCSB has a talented group of young players who are ready to make an impact. Freshman guard Jaqueline Perez was named the Big West Conference Preseason Freshman of the Year and is expected to be one of the Gauchos’ top scorers this season. She’s Joined by fellow freshman forward Sydney Haynes, who figures to be a key contributor in UCSB’s frontcourt rotation. Additionally, sophomores Elaina White and India Johnson both saw significant playing time as freshmen last year and are expected to take on larger roles this season.

With a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent, the UCSB Gauchos women’s basketball team has all the pieces in place for a successful season Keep an eye out for them as they look to make some noise in the Big West Conference this year!

The Gauchos’ Fans

The UCSB Gauchos women’s basketball team has been on the rise in recent years, and their fans have been there to support them every step of the way. From cheering them on at home games to following them on the road, the Gauchos’ fans are some of the most passionate in the country.

This season, the Gauchos are looking to build on their success from last year, when they won their first-ever Big West Conference championship. With a talented group of players and a dedicated coaching staff UCSB is poised for another great season. And their fans will be there to cheer them on every step of the way.

The Gauchos’ Legacy

UCSB Gauchos women’s basketball team has a long and storied history dating back to 1967. The Gauchos have seen many ups and downs over the years, but they have always fought tooth and nail to compete at the highest level

In recent years, the Gauchos have really begun to turn things around. They have made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA tournament and they appear to be a team on the rise. With a strong core of young players the future looks bright for UCSB women’s basketball.

The Gauchos have always been a tough, hard-nosed team, and that is what has made them so successful. They are never afraid to take on anyone, and they always give 100% effort on the court. UCSB women’s basketball is a team that is definitely on the rise, and Gaucho fans should be excited for what the future holds.

The Gauchos’ Rivalries

The UCSB Gauchos women’s Basketball team has developed a few rivalries over the years. One of their biggest rivals is the Long Beach State 49ers. The two teams have met a total of 97 times, with the Gauchos leading the all-time series 52-45. They also have a rivalry with the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs, whom they’ve met a total of 44 times, with the Gauchos leading the all-time series 32-12.

The Gauchos’ Post-Season

This season, the UCSB Gauchos women’s Basketball Team made it to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2004. They received an at-large bid after finishing the regular season with a 23-7 record. In the first round, they upset number 3 seed Florida State before losing to number 6 seed Stanford in the second round.

The Gauchos have been steadily improving over the past few years, and this season was a breakout year for them. Head coach Bonnie Henrickson has been credited with turning the program around, and she has led the team to three consecutive winning seasons. With a young core of talented players, the Gauchos are poised to make another run at the NCAA tournament next season.

The Gauchos’ Future

The UCSB Gauchos women’s Basketball team has been on the rise in recent years. They have won the Big West Conference regular season title in three of the last four years, and they made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2019.

The Gauchos have been led by a core group of players that includes All-American guard Sarah Bates, who was named the Big West Conference Player of the Year in 2019. Bates is joined by fellow senior guard Coco Miller, who was named the Big West Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.

The future looks bright for the Gauchos, as they return all five starters from their 2019 NCAA Tournament team. They will be looking to make another deep run in the 2020 NCAA Tournament and establish themselves as one of the top programs in women’s college basketball