Oct. 26, 2011

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RUSTON - With less than a week remaining before its exhibition opener against Arkansas-Monticello, the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters are still adjusting to life without All-American Adrienne Johnson according to head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.

With the Nov. 1 exhibition game against the Blossoms looming, Weatherspoon and Co. are still working on all facets of the game according to the Hall of Fame coach.

"We are definitely not where we want to be," Weatherspoon said. "The good thing about it is we still have a little more time to gain some chemistry, to get a better understanding of what we want defensively and the movement we need offensively.

"We have struggles at times, but we accept the challenges. We understand we have a lot of new faces, and there will be challenges ahead of us. It will take some time to get it, but they will get it."

For the second consecutive year, the Lady Techsters are faced with the challenge of replacing the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year with the graduation of Shanavia Dowdell and Adrienne Johnson the past two seasons. Weatherspoon said the seven returners and six newcomers are all still trying to find their place.

"They are trying to understand their role and true identity," Weatherspoon said. "We know what we lost in Shanavia and Adrienne and their ability to score, but we also understand that we have five players on the floor that can score. Our unquestioned leader is Jasmine Bendolph. She has been incredible, really leading this team and telling the others - especially the newcomers - what is needed every day. That is positive."

One of the veterans of the team has recently returned to the floor as senior guard/forward Kiara Young has begun participating in conditioning drills. Young, who is expected to shoulder some of the load left by the departure of four seniors last year, underwent arthroscopic surgery in late September and has been rehabbing with associate head athletic trainer Michele Dummett.

"Kiara is really, really working hard," Weatherspoon said. "She has been able to participate in conditioning the last few practices. She looks great and is coming along faster than we thought. She is eager to play. It is good to see her run with power and speed. We should have her back soon. Michele has done a good job of getting her to this point."

In addition to the Arkansas-Monticello exhibition game that is scheduled for Nov. 1 at 7 p.m., Tech also faces Delta State Nov. 8. LA Tech opens its regular season Nov. 11 at home against Missouri State.

"If we can have a little chemistry, learn to communicate better and defend a little better during these two exhibition games, that gives us something build on," Weatherspoon said.

Season tickets for the Lady Techsters and Bulldogs are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631, emailing techtickets@latech.edu or logging onto www.latechsports.com.