VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota women’s basketball team has experienced a resurgence this season and have more than doubled its conference win total from last season. One veteran transfer is leading the group in Vermillion: Angelina Robles.
Robles’ electricity and energy are evident in her celebrations after big plays, which spark the rest of the team.
“Her joy and just passion for the game is kind of contagious,” USD freshman guard Tori Schlagel said. “It’s been really fun to play with, and I feel like when she’s out there and she gets going and she does her little celebrations, the team really starts to like get into it.”
The guard from San Diego joined the Coyotes after playing three years at Summit League rival Denver. She ranks top five in the league in scoring, assists and minutes this season.
“It’s helped her to have experience in the league,” USD head coach Carrie Eighmey said. “There’s no place she’s been that’s new, that she’s not familiar with. She knows a lot of the players in the league.”
Right from day one, Eighmey knew exactly what Robles could do with the basketball in her hand. But what she soon learned about was the presence of another object, leading to the guard’s success.
“The first time we watched film, I was having a film session with the point guards, and she shows up with a notebook,” Eighmey said. “I knew then that she was going to soak it up, that she was going to be a sponge and constantly asking questions, trying to learn, trying to get better and grow.”
Robles hopes that growth will help her lead the Coyotes to their first league crown since 2022.
“I get speechless and emotional thinking about it,” Robles said. “This is my fourth year now. It’s just it’s everything you dream of as a little kid making it to the NCAA tournament, winning Summit League, holding that trophy.”
Robles and the Coyotes conclude the regular season this week at North Dakota and at SDSU before next week’s Summit League Tournament.
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