Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Open Official Practices
October 06, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 6, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech head coach Candi Whitaker has been waiting several months for Monday to finally get here.
It's not only the start of official preseason practices, but also the chance to finally have back a team she and her staff have worked to put together over the last few months after their first full year of recruiting.
The Lady Raiders were back for their first official team practice on Monday afternoon as the countdown to the 2014-15 season tip off on Nov. 14 against Jacksonville State began.
Eight of the 12 players participating in team workouts are fairly new faces - an adjustment for both the staff and any fans who come by practices to see how the team is looking early on.
"Yeah, it's exciting," Whitaker said. "Lots of new faces but I've really enjoyed coming to work with them this summer and in the fall. I really like how hard they work every day and their spirit and energy have been a lot of fun."
Tech brought in five junior college and college transfers along with three true freshmen, to help boost both the talent and experience on the team.
And realistically, it's only six new faces for Whitaker and her staff.
Two of the five transfers - Paige Parliament and Rayven Brooks - spent part of last season with Tech to start familiarizing themselves with Whitaker, her style and expectations. Combine that with the second time women's basketball has been able to use organized summer workouts, and there's suddenly a higher level of consistency building already.
"I think it always helps when you know your players a little bit better," Whitaker said. "So when you sit down and think about what you want to do offensively and what you can do offensively - you know their strengths and weaknesses a little bit better and you can design things around that."
Tech will continue its workouts throughout the week as it prepares for its season opener on Nov. 14 at United Supermarkets Arena.
Fans can order season tickets now by calling the Texas Tech ticket office at (806) 742-8324 or by going online to www.texastech.com/tickets today.
