​The Texas Tech women’s basketball program is heading abroad once more as part of its ongoing international outreach. The Lady Raiders are set to wrap up their summer preparations for the upcoming season with a pair of exhibition games in Canada. After competing in Germany last year, Tech will spend August 6 through August 11 north of the border, continuing the team’s pattern of using overseas opportunities to build cohesion and sharpen their game before fall practices begin.
Last summer, the Lady Raiders earned a silver medal while representing Team USA at the FISU World University Games, a performance that followed Tech’s breakthrough past a 13-year NCAA Tournament drought and marked the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2005. The squad this season returns two players from that roster, though 7-foot-1 center Stephanie Okechukwu did not suit up after joining the team midseason. With significant turnover in the lineup, including the graduation of nine seniors, head coach Krista Gerlich has stressed the importance of giving the 11 newcomers extra time together on the court.
“With the graduation of nine seniors, we felt the need to give our 11 new players extra time together—extra time to practice, compete, and build chemistry before the season begins in the fall,” Gerlich said in a statement. “Clearly, we saw the benefits of this type of summer opportunity last year and want to give this team as much of an advantage as we can. Just the team togetherness and bonding experiences is invaluable in itself, but the extra time on the court will go a long way, especially with our six freshmen.”
The Lady Raiders will contest two games against Canadian opponents: the University of British Columbia on August 8 and UBC Okanagan on August 10, with both matchups scheduled at the Langley Events Centre in the Township of Langley, British Columbia. Gerlich and the Tech leadership expressed appreciation for the donors who helped fund the trip, emphasizing how crucial their support has been in enabling the program to extend its brand internationally once again. “A huge thank you to our donors for seeing the benefits as well and giving us the support needed for us to fund this trip,” Gerlich said. “We are excited to take the Texas Tech brand internationally again and continue to make Double T a universal, household name.”
This international sojourn aligns with Tech’s broader mission to cultivate a strong team culture and gain competitive insights through global experiences. By facing newer competition, the Lady Raiders hope to accelerate their development, deepen their chemistry, and translate overseas learnings into a more cohesive unit when they return to the United States for fall competition. The trip also serves as a showcase for the Texas Tech program, highlighting its commitment to growth, exposure, and the cultivation of a lasting basketball tradition on a world stage. As the season approaches, fans can anticipate the impact of this international preparation on Tech’s on-court execution, leadership, and resilience.