After adding some key pieces this offseason to the roster, The UT Permian Basin women's basketball team has now added to their coaching staff, as they welcome Graduate Assistant Coach Dagne Apsīte. 

Apsīte was born and raised in Latvia and moved to America after graduating high school. She played two years at The University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) and two years at Presbyterian College (PC) in South Carolina. 

In her final season (2023-24) at PC she helped her team win the Big South Championship. The team made it to the Round of 64 in the March Madness tournament, which was the farthest the program had ever gone. 

"I enjoyed my time while I was at Presbyterian. Presbyterian is tremendously different from UTEP to say the least," said Apsīte. "The school is the smallest Division I school and not a lot of people knew about it, but after the historic season we had, they know now! Words can't describe the feeling and emotions I had. It's a feeling that I wish every collegiate player could experience before graduating."  

During her time as a player, Apsīte learned how to navigate many obstacles including injuries and rotation changes. She said the challenges she faced will be a useful tool for her as she begins her coaching career. 

"Control the controllables was our mentality the whole year at PC and everybody was on board with that mindset," said Apsīte. "Staying in your own lane and controlling only what you can control will get you to your destination. We understood that you have to prove yourself. It's not easy to recruit top players around the world, but with the right people and amazing work ethic all roads are open."  

With the way Apsīte approaches the game, it is no surprise that Head Women's Basketball Coach Rae Boothe and Assistant Basketball Coach Ericka Torres decided she would be a good fit for the culture they have built at UTPB. 

"There is a lot of great chemistry between me, Coach Rae Boothe, and Coach Ericka Torres," said Apsīte on why she chose UTPB to start her coaching career. "Everything aligned perfectly task wise and goal wise. I am so excited to return to Texas!"  

Apsīte said she is looking forward to becoming a Falcon because she gets to work with such amazing people, talented women, and gets the opportunity to help them grow and also grow herself.  

While Apsīte will be a full-time coach, she will also start her graduate program in the fall majoring in finance. 

"Finance will be useful as it will equip me with the skills to manage financial operations as a coach, make strategic business decisions, and potentially handle the economic aspects of sports teams and organizations, as well as manage my personal finances and investments effectively in my life," said Apsīte. 

The Falcons are happy Apsīte has chosen to join the team and look forward to seeing the impact she'll make on the coaching staff. 

"I would like to thank coach Rae and Ericka for believing in me and giving me a chance," said Apsīte. "I'm grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to start working and studying at UTPB!"