TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler women's basketball since Rebecca Alvidrez took over the program in 2021 has enjoyed success in bunches, in large part to Coach Alvidrez and several international players helping set the standard.
 
UT Tyler is 99-33 under her watch, with three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the 2023 South Central Regional title and four straight LSC Tournament appearances. Along the way, the Patriots have seen players from Germany, Kosovo, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden, Republic of Georgia, France, New Zealand, England, Finland, Russia, Canada, Australia, and Montenegro combine to create a blend of personality, culture, and competitive spirit that has become the foundation of the program's identity.
 
In total, the Patriots have represented 15 countries (including the United States), under Rebecca Alvidrez. Players such as Lovisa Hevinder, Ella Bradley, Tina Machalova, and Montse Gutierrez helped usher the program into a new era, pushing them to their NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2023. They've gone on to earn All-LSC honors, Regional All-Tournament honors, LSC and CSC Academic Team nods, and re-write the history books for the program.
 
In that same stretch, along came Polina Latysheva from Moscow, Russia, and Mileina Sablinskaite from Santa Ponsa, Spain. These two players now are taking their turn in playing the leadership role in the program as they help continue the winning tradition that Alvidrez has brought forth.
 
Latysheva knew she wanted to pursue collegiate basketball and a degree, and that process began when she was 16. UT Tyler felt like home from the beginning of the recruitment process. "What really stood out to me during my recruiting process was finding out how many international players were already on the team," Latysheva said. "I immediately felt like it would be a good fit, and I knew I'd feel more like myself and more comfortable around people who also came from overseas. I also really liked the coaches, which made the decision even easier."
 
For Sablinskaite, she took a slightly different path, playing for Central Arizona College, a junior college in Arizona, before coming to UT Tyler. "I knew from very little that I wanted to travel, and I didn't want to study and live forever in Spain," said Sablinskaite. "I always wanted to learn new cultures and experiences, and I always dreamed about United States, my favorite TV shows as a kid were filmed and based here, so it's been always in my mind. Thanks to basketball I had an amazing opportunity to make that dream come true and grow as a person, and have different experiences that made me change for good as a person."
 
Mariah Neal has been a part of the UT Tyler program for the last three years and now begins her senior season. She hails from nearby Nacogdoches, Texas, and has consistently been one of the few Texans, if not few Americans, in her time here. She spoke on how they've made an impact on her in all facets of life.
 
"Over my past four years of college basketball, I've been fortunate to be part of teams made up of players from all over the world," Neal said. "It's felt like experiencing different cultures without ever having to travel—something I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of. Each year, hearing my international teammates' stories about how they found the game reminds me that we're not as different as people might assume."
 
Latysheva has now turned into the leader on offense after an LSC Honorable Mention nod last season, and she credits the international players on the team for playing a major role in her coming to UT Tyler from high school and developing her into a better player. "In my high school team, I was the only international player, so when the coaches told me about how many internationals were on the team here, it definitely had a big impact. I got really excited knowing I would be surrounded by people with similar experiences."
 
For Sablinskaite she has turned into a critical player for the Patriots, becoming a strong shooter and lockdown defender. However, it was a mix of yes and no on the international players influence in her coming to the program. "I didn't choose UT Tyler for the international players, but on the other hand I'm happy that we have and have had many international players. As someone who lives here alone, it helps to have people around you who have an understanding about some struggles that you might have for living thousands of miles away from your family and that makes it instantly easier and also makes tighter connections with my teammates."
 
Neal brings an American connection to the team, and for the 2025-26 season, she is one of three seniors, one of four players from the United States, and the only Texan. She loves the outside influence and loves to joke with her teammates when they spend time together. "My favorite part about being surrounded by so many different cultures is discovering all the little things I consider completely normal that my teammates find absolutely bizarre. I also LOVE asking them how to say random words in their native languages. Right now, my go-to words are "French toast" and "turtle"—I don't know why, but hearing those in different accents and languages never gets old."
 
The trio continue to learn and develop each day and will play a critical role this season as they take on leadership responsibilities on the team, and Latysheva and Sablinskaite also know they will have a huge influence on the next class of players to come to the women's basketball program.
 
"I would say to prepare yourself for cultural differences in everything—from the food to the people and the way things are done here," Latysheva said. "Homesickness can hit really hard sometimes, and that's completely normal. The language barrier can be challenging too, but staying positive and open-minded makes a huge difference. Don't be afraid to ask for help, stay connected with your teammates, and remember that every international student goes through the same things. Give yourself time, stay patient, and you'll find your place here."
 
"I would say to take this opportunity to learn as much as you can, and try to experience every day like is the last one, Sablinskaite said. "Not just as player, which personally I believe  I did grow every year I spent in USA, but as a person as well. Leaving my home at 18 seemed scary, but I don't regret it at all. I would actually do it again. Now that this is my last year, I truly can't believe how fast time passed and I can't be more grateful for the many amazing people I met during this stance. I don't regret anything."
 
As UT Tyler continues to rise on the national stage, the program's heartbeat remains the same—an unbreakable blend of cultures, perspectives, and personalities united by a shared love for the game. Under Coach Alvidrez, the Patriots have created more than a winning tradition; they've built a global community where players grow as athletes, students, and people. With leaders like Latysheva, Sablinskaite, and Neal guiding the next generation, UT Tyler women's basketball stands poised to continue shaping a legacy defined not only by its success, but by the diverse voices and experiences that make that success possible."