RICE WOMEN DEBUT IN POLL; UCONN IS NOW NO. 3

Tina Langley had a vision when she took over Rice’s women’s basketball program four years ago.

The Owls have been steadily improving every season and now can add an appearance in the AP Top 25 to their achievements.

Rice entered The Associated Press women’s basketball poll for the first time in school history on Monday.

“I’m so grateful to the student-athletes and coaches that have come here and poured their heart and soul into the program,” said Langley, who spent seven years as an assistant and associate head coach under Brenda Frese at Maryland before coming to Rice. “Everything that we’ve accomplished we’ll celebrate with them.”

The Owls have won 15 straight games and are ranked 25th. Langley planned to briefly discuss being ranked at practice later Monday.

“We’ll talk a little about what it means and continue to stay focused on the ultimate goal,” she said.

Baylor remained the top team in the country, garnering 26 of the 28 first-place votes from a national media panel. Oregon moved up to second, getting the other two No. 1 ballots. UConn was third, while Louisville slipped to fourth after losing to Miami on Sunday. The Hurricanes made the biggest jump, moving up six spots to 14th.

Notre Dame was fifth followed by Mississippi State, Stanford, Maryland, North Carolina State and Iowa.