HOUSTON - For the first time in three years, the Rice Lady Owls will open the season at home, this time against McNeese State in the first round of the preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) Friday at 7 pm at Autry Court.
Rice is coming off one of its best seasons ever, finishing the 2003-04 season with a school record 22 wins. The Lady Owls return nine letterwinners, including four starters, and have five newcomers on the squad.
Sophomore Lauren Neaves and senior Michelle Woods return to lead the Lady Owls in 2004-05. The duo was named to the preseason all-Western Athletic Conference first-team. Neaves returns as Rice's top scorer, rebounder and shot blocker, while Woods is the Lady Owls top returning three-point shooter.
Head coach Cristy McKinney enters her 12th season at the helm of the Lady Owls, where she owns a 192-130 record.