By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

ARLNGTON, Texas - UT Arlington women's basketball announced the hiring of Jordan Vessels as the program's new director of operations.

A native of Canyon, Texas, Vessels was a four-year player for West Texas A&M, including three seasons playing under current UTA head coach Krista Gerlich from 2010-2012. Vessels served as the Lady Buffs' graduate assistant for the 2015-16 season.

"I'm excited to add Jordan Vessels to our program as the new director of basketball operations," Gerlich said. "Jordan's ambitious approach to this profession and passion for the game of basketball made her a no brainer for me. Her loyalty and work ethic are second to none and our players will love her energy and enthusiasm. Jordan has a very bright future in the collegiate basketball profession and we are excited and blessed to have her at UTA."

Vessels graduated from West Texas A&M with her bachelor's degree in sports and exercise science and had a career that saw her play in 126 games, tied for fourth all-time in WTA&M history.

On the court, she helped the Lady Buffs to back-to-back Lone Star Conference championships in both the regular season and tournament, won back-to-back South Central Region championships and played in the 2014 National Championship Game.