Despite being in the midst of a coaching search, the Indiana Tech women's basketball program continues to rein in talent.
The Warrior program added Rayana Villalpando out of Downey High School in California on Monday.
“Rayana is an explosive point guard and is familiar with pushing the ball up the court for the quick basket,” Indiana Tech assistant coach Luke Lochhead said in a release. “Rayana is a huge playmaker and can set her teammates up for open shots. Not to mention, Rayana can also shoot the three as well as the mid-range shot.”
Lochhead is overseeing the Indiana Tech program after head coach Rodney Hamilton left the university to accept an assistant coaching position at Tennessee State earlier this month.
Villalpando helped her team to a 19-10 season as a senior and Downey advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF Division 1A for the first time in 17 years. She averaged 9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 3.1 assists.
“Rayana has been great to coach,” Downey High School girl's basketball coach Ray Walker said. “She has a good work ethic, a tremendous will to succeed, and a great desire to get better. Rayana has a very good attitude, and her character is beyond reproach. In regards to her basketball skills, she improves daily, with her ball handling and decision making being her strengths. She is a tough competitor, and a very good leader. She gets the most out of her ability, and will definitely succeed at the next level. The bigger the game, the better Rayana plays.”
Her outstanding accomplishments include attending Duke University's Elite Basketball Camp, University of San Francisco's Elite Basketball Camp, and she was invited to participate in the Michael T. White Fila Top Ten All-American Individual Showcase in Louisville.
Villalpando was a CIF Division 1A First Team Selection and selected to play in the Southern Section vs. the Los Angeles City Section Collision XIV All-Star game. Also, she was voted both team captain and MVP her junior and senior year.
Villalpando intends to study psychology at Indiana Tech.
"I am excited about becoming a Warrior and realizing my dream of playing basketball at the collegiate level,” Villalpando said. “I intend to make my family proud and we feel blessed to become a part of the Indiana Tech family. The coaching staff, players and meeting with (Head of Psychology) Dr. Boyce solidified my decision to become a Warrior.”
