Marble Falls Tea Rodriguez commits to Murray State

CAPTION: Marble Falls High School senior Tea Rodriguez announces her commitment to Murray State University. Courtesy photo

It may have taken a month for Marble Falls High School senior Tea Rodriguez to commit to Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., but she knew immediately she’d found the place she wanted to play.

“I felt at home,” she said. “With the players and the coaches — as soon as I stepped on the college campus, I felt at home. I really felt a home away from home. I was done looking.”

Rodriguez committed Sept. 13 after taking an official visit Aug. 19. The early signing period begins in November.

Marble Falls head coach John Berkman is thrilled for Rodriguez.

“As a program we’re extremely proud of her to continue the tradition of getting an athletic scholarship,” he said. “As her coach, so proud of her to play on the next level.”

Rodriguez, who runs the point for the Lady Mustangs, was recruited as a combo guard, which means she can be used as a point or a shooting guard. Murray State coaches will determine her role once she moves there.

Make no mistake, Rodriguez is a gamer. She made Marble Falls’ final shot of the 2021-22 season, a 3-pointer that tied New Braunfels Canyon in a bi-district championship at 43-43 Feb. 14. The Lady Cougars, who won the District 26-4A championship, went the length of the court and matched Rodriguez’s long shot to win the contest at the horn 46-43.

The daughter of Ronnie Rodriguez will major in criminal justice with the aim of being a juvenile counselor.

For as long as she could remember, she always wanted to play college ball. But she thought it would be as a softball player. She gave that up when friends encouraged her to pick up a basketball.

“I fell in love,” she said.

The player credits her dad for her recruitment, noting videos of her playing for Marble Falls and select teams Next Level and Austin Elite were shipped.

“My dad sent everything across the nation,” she said. “They reached out, they liked my film. He does a lot. Dad pushed me to get my dreams to come true.”

The Lady Mustang took two other official visits: to Southwestern University in Georgetown and East Texas Baptist University in Marshall.

Marble Falls begins the 2022-23 season at Comal Davenport Friday, Nov. 4.

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