Nov. 13, 2008

HOUSTON - Head coach Greg Williams announced the signing of Jessica Goswitz, Lacey Neu, Zoe Rogers and Opal Taskila Wednesday to National Letters of Intent to play for the Rice women's basketball program. All four players will enter as freshman for the 2009-10 season.

"We are excited to add four outstanding student-athletes to our women's basketball program," Williams said. "This was a unique recruiting class as we targeted all four of these players early on in the process and to have all four of them sign really thrills me. I want to compliment my staff for all of the hard work they put in to bring these four talented young ladies to Rice."

Goswitz (Knoxville, Tenn. - Webb School of Knoxville) is a guard, while Neu (Granbury, Texas - Granbury HS) and Rogers (Bellaire, Texas - Bellaire HS) are forwards. Taskila (Winnsboro, Texas - Winnsboro HS) is a post player.

"All four of these future Owls play in outstanding high school programs that are used to winning under the direction of coaches I greatly respect," Williams said. "I also would like to thank their summer coaches who were important in getting these kids to commit to Rice. We obviously got some size and rebounding with this class and I think it compliments our 2008 class well to be the core of our program in the years to come."

Goswitz, a 5-5 guard for Shelly Collier at Webb School of Knoxville, averaged seven points and four assists last season for the Spartans. She has earned a pair of All-State selections as her team has appeared in back-to-back state championship games, including winning the 2007 championship.

Goswitz is ranked No. 38 at point guard and No. 155 nationally by the Michael T. White All Star Girls report. She played summer ball for Brandon Clay and the Peach State Elite.

"Jessica is the consummate point guard who has started for her high school team since the eighth grade," Williams said. "She is a great competitor who plays a tough, hard-nosed style that our fans will appreciate and enjoy. She is an outstanding ballhandler who knows how to run a team. Jessica also is an excellent shooter so we see her being able to play both guard positions. Her high school coach [Shelly Collier] played for Pat Summitt on Tennessee's first national championship team so she has learned from one of the best. Her basketball IQ reflects that."

Neu, a 6-1 forward for Leta Andrews at Granbury High School, posted 15 points, nine rebounds, 4.5 assists, three steals and two blocks last season for the Pirates. She has tallied a pair of All-District, All-Region and All-State picks.

Neu is No. 26 in Texas by the Premier Basketball Report and No. 65 power forward nationally by the Michael T. White All Star Girls Report in addition to Preseason All-State First-Team honors for 2008-09 by Texas Basketball Magazine. She played summer ball for Kenny Yates and the Texas Express.

"Lacey is a versatile player who can play both forward positions," Williams said. "She plays for the legendary Leta Andrews, the all-time wins leader among high school girls basketball coaches, so we hope we don't mess her up. Lacey is one of the best defenders we saw all summer and has the rare combination of size and quickness to defend all five positions. She can really run the floor and can shoot the three which will fit nicely with how we want to play. She also has a warrior-like mentality that our fans are going to love."

Rogers, a 6-1 forward for Mike Kramer at Bellaire High School, totaled 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks last season for the Cardinals. She has a trio of All-District selections and her team also was ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation by the USA Today.

Rogers is ranked No. 48 nationally at forward by ESPN Hoop Gurlz recruiting in addition to No. 19 in Texas by the Premier Basketball Report and No. 60 forward nationally by the Michael T. White All Star Girls Report. She played summer ball for George Washington and the Cy Fair Houston Heat.

"Zoe is a special sign for us because she is the first player to come up through our summer camps to join our program," Williams said. "Additionally, both of her parents are Rice graduates. She has shown continued improvement and developed into an outstanding prospect since her freshman season in high school. Zoe can score both inside and facing the basket even out to beyond the three-point line. She is an excellent rebounder with a quick outlet pass and runs the floor well to be able to play our up-tempo style."

Taskilla, a 6-2 post for Buddy Hawkins at Winnsboro High School, notched 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists last season for the Red Raiders. She picked up Preseason All-State First-Team honors for 2008-09 by Texas Basketball Magazine.

Taskilla is ranked No. 45 in Texas by the Premier Basketball Report and No. 110 post player nationally by the Michael T. White All Star Girls Report. She played summer ball for Marty Murphy and the Texas Fire.

"Opal is a true post player who we think still has a lot of game ahead of her as we watched her progress over the last two seasons," Williams said. "Her high school team has made the Final the last two seasons and is preseason No. 1 in 2-A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches this season. Opal has an outstanding shooting touch facing the basketball and very soft hands in catching the ball. She has developed an excellent jump-hook this summer which expanded her offensive package. She runs the floor well for her size and should flourish in our fastbreak system."

Rice opens the regular season at Tudor Fieldhouse Friday against Cal State Northridge. Tip-off is slated for 7pm as basketball returns to the Rice campus for the first time in 20 months. The game can be heard live on KTRU 91.7 and Rice Owls.com.