Coach Nalani Hernandez finished up her first season as an assistant coach on the women’s basketball coaching staff in 2015-16. The Lady Mustangs collected 10 wins in 2015-16 and added seven conference victories. Jordan Gutierrez was named All-RMAC honorable mention after leading the team in points per game (9.9), three-pointers (49) and played in all 28 games, starting 22. She had some top three-point shooting games making eight and seven in a game.
Having been one of the instrumental parts of helping to turn the Western New Mexico University women's basketball program around, former student-athlete Hernandez moved from player to assistant coach in 2015-16.
"I am very happy to have Nalani stay on with our program and move into the assistant coaching spot!" Head Coach Rusty Kennedy said. "She was an outstanding player, a great leader, an unbelievably hard worker, and one of the toughest players I have ever coached in 17 years! She will be a great fit, and is the right person to help us continue the building process here at WNMU!"
Hernandez played 19 games this season in helping WNMU to a 14-13 overall record and first-ever appearance in the RMAC Tournament. The Lady Mustangs also collected the most wins in 18 seasons. She averaged 27.4 minutes per game, 7.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, made 47.9 percent from the floor and also added 16 assists, 15 blocks and 37 steals. She led the team in rebounds and blocks.
"It's a blessing and an honor to continue to be a part of this program," Hernandez said. "Coach Kennedy has been a great mentor to me, teaching me the in's and out's of coaching. I am excited to help the team succeed in any way possible."
In her first season with the Lady Mustangs in 2013-14, she played in 28 games and averaged 28.4 minutes, 7.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while also adding 31 assists, 23 blocks and 43 steals.
Hernandez came from Southern Oregon University, where she played her first two years of collegiate basketball before arriving in Silver City.
"I have been very blessed to have great help in my three years here at WNMU, Enid Sanchez, Sasha Montez, Megan Placencia, and Mica Medina; they all did a fantastic job, and are a huge reason we have been able to get this thing headed in the right direction! I will forever be grateful to each of them!" Kennedy added.
WNMU finished second in NCAA Division II in three-point field goal defense and 24th in points allowed per contest at 59.2 during the 2014-15 season.
