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Rice University Athletics
Edmonds Announces Additions of Cofer, Douglas and Taulelei
5/5/2026 2:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds announced the additions of Paige Cofer, Reychel Douglas and Lilly Taulelei to the Rice women's basketball program for the 2026-27 season.
"I am excited to announce three additions we will be making to our roster for the 2026-27 season," Edmonds said. "Reychel, Lilly, and Paige will not only fill our needs on the court, but they are all remarkable young women who embody our core values and will continue to elevate our championship culture. We are thrilled to welcome them and their families into our Owl family. The future of Rice women's basketball continues to be bright!"
Paige Cofer (Utah Tech/Eagle, Idaho)
Cofer arrives in Houston after two seasons at Utah Tech, where she appeared in 47 games with 46 starts. During the 2025-26 season, Cofer was fourth on the team in scoring with 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
"Paige is a tremendous addition to our program," Edmonds said. "She has been a two-year starter at Utah Tech, and is a proven scorer and rebounder that will add depth to our small forward position. I am very excited about her ability to stretch the floor for us, as in her two years at Utah Tech, Paige shot 34% from the 3-point line. Not only does she bring valuable playing experience on the basketball court, but she also fits seamlessly into our locker room and our team culture. On Paige's visit, it was her character, maturity, and personal core values that truly set her apart. She represents everything we value as a program, and we couldn't be more thrilled she is joining our family!"
She dropped a career-high 19 points with 10 rebounds against Southern Utah and recorded 18 points against Abilene Christian. Along with athletic showings, Cofer has been named an Academic All-WAC honoree.
A four-year letterwinner at Eagle High School, Cofer was a two-time Idaho Statesman 5A all-state selection. Cofer earned second team all-state honors as a senior after she averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 18 games. She collected first team all-state accolades a year earlier when she averaged 16.6 points and 7.0 rebounds a game as a junior.
Reychel Douglas (Alabama/Raleigh, N.C.)
A native of Raleigh, N.C., Douglas arrives at South Main after starting her career at Alabama, where she appeared in 24 games. A four-star recruit and 50th-ranked player by ESPN for the 2023 high school class, Douglas will have two years of eligibility with the Owls.
"We are thrilled to welcome Reychel Douglas to our team and our Rice family," Edmonds said. "To add someone of her caliber and size at the guard spot, combined with her SEC experience, is so exciting and immediately elevates our program. Not only did we add a great player to our roster, but Reychel is a terrific young woman, eager to be an asset for our program. I have no doubt that Reychel will be a quick contributor to our success, both on and off the court."
Alabama reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons during Douglas' time with the Crimson Tide. Douglas saw action in 17 games during her freshman season, recording five rebounds and an assist against South Carolina.
The No. 1 guard and No. 2 overall player in the state of North Carolina in high school, Douglas was named the 4A Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-District. She led her high school to an East Region 4A Final Four appearance.
Lilly Taulelei (Iowa State/UMass/Wellington, New Zealand)
Taulelei joins the Owls after spending time with Iowa State and UMass, where she has appeared in 74 games over three years. Taulelei averaged 2.6 points per game last season, with a season-high 10 points against Sacred Heart. At UMass, she appeared in 31 games with 22 starts, averaging 6.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
"We are ecstatic to add Lilly to our family," Edmonds said. "As someone we recruited out of high school, having the opportunity to sign her now is extremely exciting for us. At 6'3, Lilly will bring great size and added depth to our front court. I have no doubt that her versatility and her Big 12 experience will be a tremendous asset to our team. Lilly has an infectious personality and also exemplifies all the things that are very important to our program and culture, and because of that, she is a perfect fit for our Rice Owl family!"
With Iowa State, Taulelei has made two NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the second round in the 2024-25 season. Taulelei was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Team this past season and is a two-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll honoree.
Taulelei was the first female in New Zealand basketball history to be selected to the Jr. NBA Global Championship, competing on several national teams. In high school, she was selected as the female basketball player of the year and was named the team MVP.
Cofer, Douglas and Taulelei join Kaylen Sta. Maria (Vaughan, Ontario/Niagara Prep) as part of Edmonds' 2026-27 recruiting class.
"I am excited to announce three additions we will be making to our roster for the 2026-27 season," Edmonds said. "Reychel, Lilly, and Paige will not only fill our needs on the court, but they are all remarkable young women who embody our core values and will continue to elevate our championship culture. We are thrilled to welcome them and their families into our Owl family. The future of Rice women's basketball continues to be bright!"
Paige Cofer (Utah Tech/Eagle, Idaho)
Cofer arrives in Houston after two seasons at Utah Tech, where she appeared in 47 games with 46 starts. During the 2025-26 season, Cofer was fourth on the team in scoring with 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
"Paige is a tremendous addition to our program," Edmonds said. "She has been a two-year starter at Utah Tech, and is a proven scorer and rebounder that will add depth to our small forward position. I am very excited about her ability to stretch the floor for us, as in her two years at Utah Tech, Paige shot 34% from the 3-point line. Not only does she bring valuable playing experience on the basketball court, but she also fits seamlessly into our locker room and our team culture. On Paige's visit, it was her character, maturity, and personal core values that truly set her apart. She represents everything we value as a program, and we couldn't be more thrilled she is joining our family!"
She dropped a career-high 19 points with 10 rebounds against Southern Utah and recorded 18 points against Abilene Christian. Along with athletic showings, Cofer has been named an Academic All-WAC honoree.
A four-year letterwinner at Eagle High School, Cofer was a two-time Idaho Statesman 5A all-state selection. Cofer earned second team all-state honors as a senior after she averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 18 games. She collected first team all-state accolades a year earlier when she averaged 16.6 points and 7.0 rebounds a game as a junior.
Reychel Douglas (Alabama/Raleigh, N.C.)
A native of Raleigh, N.C., Douglas arrives at South Main after starting her career at Alabama, where she appeared in 24 games. A four-star recruit and 50th-ranked player by ESPN for the 2023 high school class, Douglas will have two years of eligibility with the Owls.
"We are thrilled to welcome Reychel Douglas to our team and our Rice family," Edmonds said. "To add someone of her caliber and size at the guard spot, combined with her SEC experience, is so exciting and immediately elevates our program. Not only did we add a great player to our roster, but Reychel is a terrific young woman, eager to be an asset for our program. I have no doubt that Reychel will be a quick contributor to our success, both on and off the court."
Alabama reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons during Douglas' time with the Crimson Tide. Douglas saw action in 17 games during her freshman season, recording five rebounds and an assist against South Carolina.
The No. 1 guard and No. 2 overall player in the state of North Carolina in high school, Douglas was named the 4A Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-District. She led her high school to an East Region 4A Final Four appearance.
Lilly Taulelei (Iowa State/UMass/Wellington, New Zealand)
Taulelei joins the Owls after spending time with Iowa State and UMass, where she has appeared in 74 games over three years. Taulelei averaged 2.6 points per game last season, with a season-high 10 points against Sacred Heart. At UMass, she appeared in 31 games with 22 starts, averaging 6.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
"We are ecstatic to add Lilly to our family," Edmonds said. "As someone we recruited out of high school, having the opportunity to sign her now is extremely exciting for us. At 6'3, Lilly will bring great size and added depth to our front court. I have no doubt that her versatility and her Big 12 experience will be a tremendous asset to our team. Lilly has an infectious personality and also exemplifies all the things that are very important to our program and culture, and because of that, she is a perfect fit for our Rice Owl family!"
With Iowa State, Taulelei has made two NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the second round in the 2024-25 season. Taulelei was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Team this past season and is a two-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll honoree.
Taulelei was the first female in New Zealand basketball history to be selected to the Jr. NBA Global Championship, competing on several national teams. In high school, she was selected as the female basketball player of the year and was named the team MVP.
Cofer, Douglas and Taulelei join Kaylen Sta. Maria (Vaughan, Ontario/Niagara Prep) as part of Edmonds' 2026-27 recruiting class.
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