RUSTON - Louisiana Tech is ranked No. 8 in Slam Magazine's preseason Top 15 poll that will be released this coming month.

Head coach Kurt Budke's squad returns four starters, including all-WAC selections Trina Frierson, Amber Obaze and Erica Smith, from last year's team that posted a 31-3 mark and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Despite the graduation of 2003 WNBA Rookie of the Year Cheryl Ford, the Lady Techsters are ranked in the publication's top 10 behind only Texas, Duke, Connecticut, Kansas State, Stanford, Tennessee and Penn State.

Tech opens practice Oct. 18 in preparation for its Nov. 21 season opener at Stephen F. Austin.