Stephen Montoya
Hailey Van Lith
TCU women’s basketball is riding high after clinching its first-ever Big 12 championship over the weekend. Head coach Mark Campbell and star guard Hailey Van Lith spoke about the Horned Frogs winning season and what's in store for the basketball team heading into the postseason at a recent press conference. The team heads to Kansas City this week, facing off against either Arizona, Colorado, or Houston in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship.
“We couldn’t be more proud of this group,” Campbell said. “Winning our first Big 12 championship in basketball, especially in a winner-take-all game against Baylor, was special. It was surreal. But winning a league title is the hardest thing to do — it’s three months, 18 games, navigating through all kinds of obstacles, and these girls got it done.”
Campbell acknowledged the team’s deep postseason experience, which is invaluable as they prepare for March Madness. “We’re built for March,” Campbell said. “This roster is filled with players who’ve competed in the highest levels of the postseason, from national championships to Final Fours. They know how to handle the pressure.”
One of the key players driving the Horned Frogs’ success is Van Lith, who transferred from Louisville and has brought leadership, skill, and a championship mindset to TCU. In her fifth season, Van Lith has become a cornerstone of the team’s playstyle, excelling both on and off the court.
“It’s been a special season, and we’ve been through a lot together,” Van Lith said. “We hit rock bottom as a team, but we got it done. It takes resilience, and everyone’s been all in, from the top players to those who don’t get the minutes but play just as crucial a role. We trust each other on and off the court, and that’s been key to our success.”
The Horned Frogs' victory marked a turning point for the program, which had to rebuild after a period of struggle. Campbell, who arrived at TCU in 2022, highlighted how quickly the team came together, especially with many transfers joining the squad. “It’s like putting together a puzzle,” Campbell said. “The pieces have to fit, both on the court and off. The human element is just as important as the basketball element.”
Stephen Montoya
Mark Campbell, TCU women's basketball head coach.
Van Lith, who also brings international experience to the team with a gold medal from the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, shared her perspective on the importance of leadership. “We’ve got a group that really buys into each other,” she said. “I’ve been around a while and have had a lot of different experiences, and that’s helped me step up as a leader. We all want the same thing, and that’s what keeps us focused.”
Campbell noted the importance of versatility, particularly when players like Van Lith and Donovan Hunter rotate between starting and coming off the bench. “You have to have players step up when their number is called,” Campbell said. “We’ve had incredible contributions from everyone on this team.”
Van Lith emphasized how TCU’s growth, fueled by its hunger to prove themselves, has prepared them for the stakes of the postseason. “We’ve been underdogs, we’ve had to fight for everything,” she said. “We’re just taking it one game at a time, but we know we can compete with the best. We belong at this level.”
With March Madness just around the corner, Campbell remains focused on what’s next, downplaying any concerns about rankings or seedings. “We control what we can control, and that’s preparing for the next game,” he said. “The selection committee will do its job, but we know we’re ready for whatever comes our way.”
For both Campbell and Van Lith, the focus is clear: the Horned Frogs are on a historic journey, and they’re determined to continue their success in the postseason.
