Before Ortega arrived at the college after a standout career at Tyler Lee High School, no Lady Cardinal team had ever climbed to a lofty status in the national rankings. Midway through her sophomore season in 1987, the Lady Cardinals climbed to No. 2.

She averaged 15.0 points and 7.3 rebounds that season, earning all-region and all-conference honors.  In her two seasons, the Lady Cardinals won 47 games.

Ortega continued her playing career at Northwestern State University, where she helped guide the Lady Demons to 38 wins and a NCAA Tournament berth during her two seasons. She finished her career as the college’s 10^th all-time leading free throw shooter.

Moving into the coaching ranks, she enjoyed two successful tenures as an assistant coach (15 seasons) at the University of North Texas and UNC-Charlotte. At UNT, she helped the Mean Green to three conference championships and two appearances in the WNIT.  In a four-year stretch, UNT won 77 games, representing the most successful period in the college’s history. UNC-Charlotte made three WNIT appearances in her four seasons, including a Final Four appearance in 2011.

She is currently the Director of Women’s Basketball Operations at the University of Texas.