SAN ANTONIO — The UTSA women’s basketball team opened fall practice this week in search of its fifth Southland Conference title and third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
Led by 12th-year head coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair, the Roadrunners return eight players from the 2010-11 squad that finished 16-15 overall, including an 11-5 Southland mark, which tied for the league’s West Division title. UTSA advanced to its 11th consecutive conference tournament and advanced to the semifinals with a victory against Sam Houston State before falling to eventual champion McNeese State.
Junior Whitney York and sophomore Judy Jones return to action after missing last season. After being named a preseason first-team all-conference selection a year ago, York suffered a season-ending injury in fall practice and was granted a medial hardship, while Jones redshirted. Meanwhile, tThe Roadrunners welcome newcomers Mannasha Bell, Kamra King, Jenny Menz, Jalisa Montgomery, Ashley Spaletta and Simone Young to the fold this season.
The longest-tenured coach in UTSA history, Rippetoe-Blair enters the season one win shy of 300 for her career and eight less than 200 with the Roadrunners.
UTSA will host McMurry in an exhibition game on Saturday, Nov. 5, before officially opening the 2011-12 campaign at home against Missouri six days later.
