It's a new era in Ruston as Tyler Summitt enters his first season at the helm of the tradition-rich Louisiana Tech Lady Techster basketball program.

Summitt, the son of legendary Tennessee Lady Vols coach emeritus Pat Summitt, takes over the reins of the program with one ultimate goal in mind - developing his student-athletes into champions on and off the court.

He will lean heavily on five standards in this process: belief, family, character, competition and toughness. They will be interwoven into everyday life for the LA Tech players and are the same one's Summitt grew up around in Knoxville.

Results won't happen overnight, according to Summitt. However, it will happen over time. And when it does, the shine that faded over the past few years from the proud program will return and life in Ruston will return to norm for Lady Techster fans.

"We want to compete for a conference championship, and the ultimate goal for our program is to be a consistent NCAA Tournament team," Summitt said. "We would like to take that stride this year, but it's a day-by-day process. This program used to dominate its conference, and we need to get back to doing that every year."

On the conference level, Tech has won 20 regular season titles and 16 conference tournament titles during its 27 years as a league member in the American South (1987-1991), Sun Belt (1991-2001), Western Athletic (2001-2013) and Conference USA (2013-present).

However, even more impressive is what the Lady Techster program has accomplished on the national level since its inception in 1974.

Louisiana Tech boasts 27 NCAA Tournament appearances, 13 Final Fours, eight national championship games and three national titles. It boasts 1,043 wins - the second most in the history of the game behind only Tennessee.

And it boasts a fan base longing for the return to the days of conference domination and NCAA appearances.

Tech's last appearance in the NCAA Tournament was 2011. Since then LA Tech has endured the three most futile seasons in program history, including back-to-back losing campaigns - the first ever in the 40-year history of the Lady Techsters.

That's history; the good and the bad. What Summitt and this year's Techsters are focused on is the present.

"The No. 1 focus every year is culture; that includes playing hard every possession, having good body language, cheering each other on," Summitt said. "One of our standards we have gotten better on is family. We have gotten better at family. I think the players care about each other more than they did when we arrived."

Though only 24-years-old, Summitt has the knowledge, demeanor and maturity of a seasoned veteran. The scouting report on him is he is wise beyond his years. Summitt grew up around arguably the greatest coach in the history of the women's game. He immersed himself in the coaching philosophies utilized to win championships in Knoxville.

He paid attention. He took notes. He lived and breathed a culture of champions. Now he brings that basketball IQ and those life lessons to Ruston.

"I think that if we can get our culture right off the court then there aren't many teams on our schedule that we can't beat," Summitt said. "But how quickly do we have buy-in in every area; on the court, academically, character wise, being the best you can be. That will determine how much immediate success we have."

On the floor, Summitt said the Lady Techsters will rely upon their senior leadership and athletic ability while continuing to improve on fundamentals. Tech returns the nucleus of last year's team, including five seniors and a quartet of double digit scorers in seniors Whitney Frazier, Kelia Shelton and Chrisstasia Walter and sophomore JaQuan Jackson.

"Our strength will be our athleticism," Summitt said. "I think if we had a track meet with the Conference USA teams that we would probably win it. I would say that experience is an additional strength of ours. Anytime you have five seniors that can play, that experience proves beneficial. Although this is a new system, seniors are seniors no matter how you swing it."

Not only will Summitt have experience on the court, he will have almost four decades of coaching experience sitting in the seat by him on the bench as Mickie DeMoss returns to her alma mater as the associate head coach. DeMoss brings an invaluable wealth of knowledge, boasting more than 20 years as Pat Summitt's No. 1 assistant at Tennessee, head coaching stints at Florida and Kentucky and two years in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever.

Summitt's coaching staff - which includes two rising young stars in Bernitha Johnson and Amber Smith - all have ties to Tennessee, something that has helped them with a smooth transition.

"Even though each one has their area of expertise, we have such a family atmosphere that we enjoy working hard for this program," Summitt said. "We have such a respect for Sonja Hogg, Leon Barmore, and every player and every coach that ever been a part of the Lady Techster family, that we feel honored to be a part of brining this program back to where it needs to be."

Summitt doesn't talk about wins and losses. He focuses on the process, something that will ultimately lead to success.

A new era is underway in Ruston; one that Lady Techster fans hope evolves into the days of old.

Guards

Louisiana Tech's roster will contain only five true guards this season although four of the ball handlers saw plenty of time on the court last year.

Seniors Chrisstasia Walter, Kelia Shelton and Kanedria Andrews and sophomore JaQuan Jackson all played significant minutes in 2013-14, combining for 70 starts and almost 4,000 minutes of playing time.

Walter started 28 games at the point guard position during her first season in a LA Tech uniform, averaging 11.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.9 steals per game while earning the Newcomer of the Year award by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. The 5-foot-8-inch Walter shot 33 percent from the field, 19-of-83 from the three-point line and hit 75 percent of her free throws.

"Chrisstasia has one of the most improved shot forms on our team, especially from the three-point line," Summitt said. "We will need to continue to develop her shot because she has tremendous blow-by ability. She will run the point for us this year. Her wing span helps us defensively."

While ranking in the top 15 in the country in steals per game, Walter scored in double figures 17 times while totaling 175 assists. She registered two double doubles from the point guard position, including an 18-point, 11-rebound effort in a win over North Texas in C-USA Tournament. She scored a season-high 32 points in an overtime road win at Tulsa and had a career-high 10 assists at Top 25 Texas A&M.

Andrews is a three-year letter-winner for the Lady Techsters. The 5-foot-9-inch off-guard has been one of the top perimeter defenders during her first three years in college. She saw action in 30 games, making 12 starts as a junior, and averaged 2.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per outing.

"She is one of our three captains," Summitt said. "She brings a lead-by-example work ethic to the floor. She prides herself in her defense and rebounding. She really wants to finish her career strong."

The El Dorado, Ark. native shot 31 percent from the floor, 11-of-41 from the three-point line and 60 percent from the free throw line during her junior campaign. She scored a season-high nine points - hitting three 3-pointers - in a road game at Nicholls State and added eight points in a one-point conference win over Florida Atlantic. Andrews pulled down a career-high nine rebounds against SEC foe Ole Miss.

In a limited time on the floor last year, Shelton proved she is a difference maker. After leading the team in scoring as a sophomore before being dismissed from the team late in the year, Shelton was allowed to return to the program as a walk-on last season. After becoming eligible to play following the completion of the winter quarter, Shelton suited up for the final five games, averaging 14.4 points. 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while leading Tech to a 4-1 record.

"Kelia is one of the most skilled players on our team," Summitt said. "No matter how the defense guards her, she finds a way to score. She can score in a variety of ways; whether that is driving by, shooting over or using her body. She is a competitor."

As a sophomore in 2012-13, Shelton earned the Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's National Player of the Week award (USBWA) when she broke the Western Athletic Conference single game scoring record with 45 points in a win over UTSA on Feb. 7, 2013. She led Tech in scoring that season.

Jackson burst onto the scene last year as a true freshman and didn't disappoint. She saw action in all 32 games, making 27 starts, and averaged 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists while earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman team. She was also a three-time C-USA Freshman of the Week (the most by any rookie in the league).

"Quanny is a tremendous athlete," Summitt said. "She has a great first step. She can create her own shot. She was a great weapon for LA Tech last year on offense."

The Killeen, Texas native shot 36 percent from the field, broke the LA Tech single season freshman record with 51 three-pointers made (out of 156) and led the team at 83 percent from the free throw line. She scored in double figures 18 times, including 15 vs. Virginia and 14 vs. Texas A&M. Her 13 points in her collegiate debut against Top 5 South Carolina were the most by a LA Tech true freshman in their debut since former Kodak All-American Tamicha Jackson scored 17 against Tulane on Nov. 16, 1996.

Red-shirt sophomore walk-on Ruby Richie will add depth to the LA Tech backcourt after sitting out last season following her transfer from Ouachita Baptist. Richie lettered at Cedar Creek High School in Ruston during her prep career where she was a two-time all-state honoree.

"Ruby is a local player who comes in to practice and works hard," Summitt said. "She has a nice mid-range jumper that she elevates well on. She is the type of high character person that you want on your team."

Summitt's bench will contain two very talented guards who will have to both sit out this year after transferring from Marquette. Brooklyn Pumroy and Ashley Santos followed Summitt to Ruston after both played for Terri Mitchell at Marquette last season.

"Both Brooke and Ashley will be great for us this year because they will push their teammates every day in practice," Summitt said. "They will be able to watch the games from the bench and articulate what they see to their teammates."

Pumroy lettered two years at Marquette, starting 63 of 64 games at the point guard position. As a sophomore she averaged 9.1 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds while leading the team with 45 steals. She recorded double digit scoring games against the likes of UConn, Vanderbilt, DePaul, Louisville, Georgetown and Wake Forest.

"She has a high IQ for the game," Summitt said. "It will be great to have her on the bench in the games. Her strengths include pushing the ball in transition and shooting it from almost anywhere on the court."

Santos comes to Tech with one year of experience under her belt. After missing her true freshman season at Marquette due to a preseason injury, she saw action in 33 games last year averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in a limited role.

"Ashley can score in any area of the court," Summitt said. "She is a very physical player who has a high motor."

Posts/Forwards

Although Louisiana Tech's roster still lacks the dominate back-to-the-basket traditional post player, the Lady Techsters forwards and post players possess a nice variety of size, skill set and athleticism.

The group includes seniors Whitney Frazier and Savanna Langston, junior Brandi Wingate, sophomore Kevione Moten and freshman Tiara Davenport.

Frazier is by far the most experienced of the five, registering 89 career starts during her first three season in Ruston. As a junior she earned all-Conference USA second team honors while averaging 16.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game - almost averaging a double double despite being undersized. She scored 25 points against LSU, recorded a double double with 17 points and 10 rebounds against Virginia and scored 24 points against Ole Miss.

"Whitney is one of our three captains, and she is very excited to finish off her collegiate career strong," Summitt said. "She poses a matchup problem for every team we face because of her ability to finish down low, shoot and drive by defenders. She has improved at finishing around the basket this summer. I am excited to see that transfer over to the game."

Frazier enters this season having the distinction of being the only returning all-Conference USA player (1st or 2nd team) in the league as the other 15 honorees either graduated, transferred or were a member of a school that departed the league. She scored in double figures 29 times while recording 15 double doubles.

Langston is another experienced post player for the Lady Techsters. At 6-foot-2-inches tall, she is the second tallest player on the roster; however, her game isn't that of a back-to-the-basket post player. Instead, she has one of the better perimeter strokes on the team. As a junior Langston made 15 starts, averaging 3.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest.

"I am excited about the way Savanna can knock down open shots," Summitt said. "She is one of the best coming off of screens and catching and shooting. She has improved a lot this summer on finishing around the basket. We are excited about her improvement from shooting the ball beyond the three-point line. She is one of our captains and will bring leadership to our team."

The El Dorado, Ark. native shot 44 percent from the field, 7-of-32 from the three-point line and 57 percent from the free throw line. She scored a career-high 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a road loss at Old Dominion and pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds in a road game at Marshall. Langston led the team with 18 blocks.

The real size to the LA Tech front line is Moten. At 6-foot-4-inches tall and long arms, the sophomore has the physical make-up to be a solid defender and rebounder for the Lady Techsters. Although she still has plenty of room for improvement, Summitt is excited about what he has seen so far.

"Kev has one of the highest upsides on our team," Summitt said. "Her length for defense and rebounding is unequaled right now on our team. We are very excited to see how she develops. She has been working very hard in practice and is one of our most improved players so far."

As a true freshman, Moten saw limited minutes, averaging a point and a rebound per game while seeing action in 19 contests. She scored a career-high six points and grabbed three rebounds against Conference USA champion and NCAA participant Middle Tennessee and also added three points and three boards in her collegiate debut against Top 5 ranked South Carolina.

Wingate could be one of the keys to the LA Tech season. A highly-recruited prep star from Maryland, the 6-foot-1-inch forward with guard-like skills suffered multiple season-ending knee injuries in high school and junior college. Wingate's athleticism comes honestly as her father David played for the Georgetown Hoyas before spending 15 years in the NBA.

"Brandi is an incredible athlete," Summitt said. "We have been working a lot on her form this summer, and she has improved. I am very excited about seeing her play in a game considering she hasn't played in three years. Her strength is elevating for rebounds around the basket."

Wingate played one year at Northwest Florida State (2010-11) before missing the next two years with knee injuries and the past season due to eligibility issues. However, she is poised to return to the form that had her rated as the No.2 strong forward in the junior college ranks (12th overall) by Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.

Davenport is the lone freshman on the roster. The 6-foot rookie earned numerous accolades during her prep career in Texas where she played for Triple A Academy, Johnson High School and Duncanville High School.

"We heard a lot of great things about Tiara coming out of high school," Summitt said. "It's exciting to have her on campus. She can play the wing or the post, and it is exciting to have someone with that versatility. For her size, she can perform guard skills; handling the ball and shooting from the perimeter. She poses a match-up problem for opponents."

Davenport averaged 13.8 points and 6.3 rebounds for a Division I-laden Duncanville program last year, helping lead the team to a 36-1 record. She was ranked as a Top 150 high school recruit by numerous publications.