Women's basketball has new look
Coach and former All-American Cristy McKinney returns for her third season, hoping to improve on the best finish ever by a Rice team in the SWC (7-7). She returns with an experienced core of players and several talented newcomers.
The team starts with the point, and the point starts with 5-7 senior Kim LaLonde.
During the course of the 1994-95 season, LaLonde more than doubled her career totals in assists, nearly tripled her total scoring and set a Rice record for assists in a game with twelve.
"I think one of our important team goals this year is to be more consistent. I hope I can keep our team working together," LaLonde said.
Junior Jessica Garcia's 1994 season was cut short before it began due to a neck injury suffered in the summer.
During her sophomore season of 1993-94, the 5-8 shooting guard led the Owls in assists and already ranks 6th all-time among Rice women with 59 three-point baskets over her first two seasons.
Sophomores Gina Cafagna and Taonica Ledet provide Rice with solid depth in the backcourt. They'll be joined by local freshman Charonda Wilson, who played the point at Clear Lake High School last year.
Senior guard Tonya Green will probably return from a knee injury to help the team in December.
The small forward position has experienced performers as well in seniors Tammy McCallum and Stephanie Mundschau. They combined last year for 15.7 points per game and figure to be crucial to the offense again this year.
Redshirt sophomore Lisa Escobedo has struggled through two disappointing seasons, but hopes to come back strong this year and contribute at the small forward spot as well.
The inside game, due to the loss through graduation of all-SWC Brenda Conaway and 6-4 Nicky Manzo and the transfer of 6-4 Kristen Carlson to Seattle Pacific, will depend largely on new talent.
Returning is 6-0 sophomore Angelica Smith, who finished the year strong with a pair of double-doubles against the University of Texas and the University of Houston.
Ashley Elsey is another sophomore back this year who showed potential last year, blocking five shots in a game against Prairie View A&M University.
Junior transfer Debi Williams should add experience in the pivot.
The 6-4 center averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and 3.5 blocks at Blinn College last year.
Also coming in to add height are 6-3 freshman Jennifer Hamilton and 6-1 freshman Suzanne Koy.
Hamilton was first team all-state in Michigan, and Koy set a school record in rebounds at Georgetown, Texas, with 1,149 during her career.
If the young players reach the potential they've shown at Rice and elsewhere, the front court could exhibit surprising strength.
McKinney is guardedly optimistic about this year's prospects.
"I'd like the team to improve from last year," she said. "I think this group has the experience and the talent to improve, both within conference and overall."
The players' dreams extend beyond that, though.
"We'd love to win the SWC," Koy said.
But the truest statement was also the simplest.
"We want to make a name for Rice women's basketball," Garcia said.
The road begins with an exhibition against the Australian National Team Nov. 13 at Autry Court.
While the team's fate doesn't necessarily hinge on its performance in the first few games of the year, the team may find out early how they stand in the grand scheme.
A possible matchup against the University of Arkansas in the Arkansas Dial Classic and a game against Tulane University, both in November, will give the Owls a chance to see how they stand against the upper echelon of women's basketball.
This item appeared in the Sports section of the October 27, 1995 issue.
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