RUSTON - Louisiana Tech opens the season Friday when the Lady Techsters host Grambling State at 11 a.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center for the Education Day Game.

More than 4,000 local elementary school youngsters will be in attendance for the game between the Lady Techsters and the Lady Tigers, creating quite the opening day atmosphere in Ruston.

In addition to the normal individual and team practices that the Lady Techsters have been participating in since the beginning of the fall quarter, head coach Brooke Stoehr and Co. also played and won a pair of closed scrimmages the past two weekends.

Stoehr said the experience from the two scrimmages should prove invaluable in preparing for the early season games. Tech plays its first three games at home against Grambling State, LSU-Alexandria and Memphis in a seven-day stretch.

"The work we've gotten in during our two scrimmages has been very beneficial," said Stoehr. "We've had good film to learn from and have gotten a variety of looks defensively to try and execute against in both outings.

"It's always good to be able to transition up and down against another opponent in a game setting. We have been able to work on specific situations and different lineups. We feel like the strength of this group is our depth. This depth will help us compete at a higher level."

Tech, which was picked to finish third in the preseason Conference USA Coaches' poll, returns only six players from last year's team that posted an 18-14 record and earned an appearance in the WNIT. Eight newcomers will suit up for the first time on Friday, including four true freshmen, three junior college transfers and one Division I transfer.

"I am excited to get the season started on Friday," said Stoehr. "This group has worked hard in the summer and preseason and is anxious to take the floor in front of our great fans. I am looking forward to watching this group grow together this season and see who we can become."

Single game and season tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 318-257-3631 or emailing TechTickets@latech.edu.