AUSTIN, Texas — Fran Harris led Texas to victory in 1986. Now, she’s joining fans to watch the Texas Longhorns in Phoenix Friday night for a Final Four faceoff in the women’s NCAA basketball tournament.

“It’s the energy of an impending championship for the University of Texas. What can I say?” she told CBS Austin on Friday.

Harris, an NCAA and WNBA champion, is hoping to see a second Texas championship for the women’s team, 40 years since her team made history.

“40 years is a long time to not win a championship. And the Longhorns from ’86 are pulling for this edition of the Texas women’s basketball team to go all the way. Hook ’em!” she said.

Harris is among generations of fans who are rooting for the Longhorns as they face off against the UCLA Bruins for a shot at the championship game.

Young basketball players from across Central Texas are sharing the inspiration they have found in the women’s team.

“They all just work together as one piece, and they all work together so smoothly,” said Austin fifth grader Vanessa, who plays on her school’s basketball team.

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For Kennedy Clark, a freshman basketball player at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, the Texas team serves as a model.

“I love watching them play. I’ve been watching them since I was a little girl,” Clark said.

The influence of the women’s team extends beyond just girls’ sports.

The women’s team also serves as an inspiration for brothers Dawson and Parker Inbau, who are a part of the youth sports program at the Greater Austin YMCA.

The two have been attending games this season, even getting autographs and photos with players.

“They’ve had a great season for the last to years, and it’s so fun to watch them play at such a high level,” Parker said.

With Texas in the Final Four and the WNBA returning to Houston, Harris is excited about a growing investment in women’s basketball in Texas.

She said the Longhorns’ success also sends a message to young women.

“The biggest message is to pursue your dream, right? You don’t pursue basketball or volleyball or whatever your sport is because you have dreams of one day necessarily going pro. That’s not what we thought because that didn’t exist necessarily. You pursued it because you loved it,” Harris said.

Watch the Longhorns take on UCLA at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.