EDINBURG, Texas - Northwest guard and two-time All-MACCC selection Tierra Trotter will continue her academic and athletic career at the Division I level next season, after signing with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley last week.

Trotter was a main component of the Lady Rangers' success over the past two seasons, as the Bryant, Ark. native led the team in scoring both seasons. She averaged 16.3 points per game as a sophomore and finished with 20 or more points in nine different games. Her best performance came in a 29-point effort that helped Northwest to an overtime upset of Pearl River in the opening round of the MACCC Tournament.

For her career, Trotter finished with an average of 15.7 points per game, putting her seventh all-time in the Northwest record books. She also led the team in steals this season (43), while finishing second in total rebounds (155) and assists (68). 

Trotter was also named an NJCAA All-Region 23 selection and is the second Lady Ranger to sign to the four-year level, joining teammate Kolten Blakeney (William Carey University). Additionally, she also becomes the Lady Rangers' first Division I signee since 2011, when Sandricka Bowen signed with Arkansas State.

"We are extremely excited to announce the signing of Tierra Trotter," UTRGV head coach Lane Lord said. "Tierra is an outstanding point guard...[and] she will bring quickness and athleticism to our program. She is a scoring point guard but also knows how to manage the game. Tierra has a high basketball IQ and will be a welcomed addition to our program."

UTRGV competes in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and finished 14-19 during the 2021-22 season. The Vaqueros won their first two games in the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas, before suffering a season-ending loss to Utah Valley. 

Northwest finished the 2021-22 season with a 15-11 overall record and an 8-6 mark in conference play. The Lady Rangers earned a bid into the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament for the third time in the last three seasons.