By Wendell Barnhouse
Big12Sports.com Correspondent
LUBBOCK, Texas – No player in the Big 12 Conference played up to her last name as did Amber Battle.
In her first season as a starter, Battle earned second-team All-Big 12 honors as she led the Lady Raiders in scoring, rebounding, assists and minutes played. She started all 30 games after starting just once in her first two seasons with Texas Tech.
"I always put the pressure on myself to be the one to lead the team," Battle said Tuesday during the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tour stop here. "I want to be the one to lead my team. That's always been my mentality."
Battle's statistics far outweighed the success on the court. In coach Candi Whitaker's first season as coach, the Lady Raiders finish 6-24 overall and will carry a 20-game losing streak into this season.
"I think we can use that as a huge motivator," Whitaker said. "We know where we're at and where we need to go. This conference is so tough that you've got to bring it every single night. Our returning players have a fire in their belly and have worked hard in the offseason."
Seven of Texas Tech's 18 Big 12 losses were by 10 or fewer points.
"Every game we came out ready to play and played hard," Battle said. "We gave a lot of good teams good games. We have to learn from that. Now we know that we don't want to go through another winless season."
Battle, who was an honorable mention selection to the All-Big 12 preseason team, was the only guard in the Big 12 last season to finish in the top 10 in both scoring (No. 6) and rebounding (No. 9).
And this season, she should have more help.
"Amber is excited to have more options around her," Whitaker said. "So much of our offense was designed around her to score and there's a lot of pressure that comes with that. For her to be able to relax because she's got more players around her should be a big help.
Kelsi Baker, a key reserve on the Texas Tech team that reached the NCAA Tournament in 2012-13, missed all of last season with an injury.
"Having her back helps tremendously," Battle said. "She's one of our best post players and one of our best players. We really missed her last season."
Baker, a 6-foot senior, averaged 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game two years ago and her return should help Battle's offensive game.
"She opens up the floor," Battle said. "She can set screens and the pop out and hit the three. She can get all the way to the basket. Working together we're going to help each other get open looks."
Whitaker brought in eight newcomers. Three junior-college transfers — Ryann Bowser, Jocelyn Mousty and Jamie Roe in addition to three high school seniors, Ionna McKenzie, Dayo Olabode and Courtney Vaccher, as well as transfers Rayven Brooks and Paige Parliment.
"Coach Whitaker recruited players who have a lot of heart," said Battle, who is suspended for the first month of the season because of a school discipline issue. "Since they got here, they've all said they don't want to have a season like we did last year."
Layups
Four players who were on the roster last season decided to transfer in the off-season: Marina Lizarazu, Diamond Lockhart and Jasmine Caston asked for releases. Lizarazu started 21 games while Lockart started 11 as freshmen.
Brandi Poole is a new assistant coach. She was on the staff that helped Indiana go from six wins to 21 wins. She replaces Brett Schneider, who resigned after spending one year on the staff.
Five of the new players are at least six feet or taller. The average height of the team has gone from 5-foot-9 last season to 6-1.