Huskies women make Hec Ed debut tonight against BYU

Washington sophomore Kristi Kingma is returning to the Huskies after suffering from lightheadedness on Saturday, missing her team's one-point road loss to Portland State.

She believes her condition was the result of medication from being hospitalized twice with kidney stones last week. Kingma, a former Jackson High standout, first felt the pain on Nov. 10. She did not practice last week, but thought she could play in the season opener until waking Saturday morning lightheaded.

"I had a major headache and was just trying to make it through the game," Kingma said of sitting on the bench.

Forward Mackenzie Argens will remain in the starting lineup when Washington plays its home opener against Brigham Young at 7 tonight at Edmundson Pavilion. Kingma said she's not 100 percent after passing the stones on Sunday, and UW coach Tia Jackson is being cautious.

The Huskies (0-1) are trying to cultivate some buzz after a trying 8-22 finish last season. Washington was hurt by perimeter defense and poor free-throw shooting against Portland State. Jackson said the team worked on those areas this week and she liked the response from the players, who are eager for this season's home debut.

"We were bummed," she said of the mood after the 67-66 loss. "The recovery was really good. The effort was great, the competition was awesome, and the attention to detail was exceptional. To see that response coming off that game in a practice like that was impressive."

The Huskies will be facing an experienced Cougars (1-0) team, returning 12 players from last year's 18-11 squad. Junior Mindy Nielson is the leading returning scorer (10.4).

"We've got to showcase some really fun, exciting basketball," Jackson said. "That's really it. You have energy out there on the floor, and it kind of branches out to the fans. Then it becomes contagious all around."

Notes

• Senior forward Lydia Young will have knee surgery and miss the rest of the season. She suffered from tendinitis in her right knee, and aggravated the injury by falling on campus.

"It saddens all of us that Lydia has suffered a knee condition that will not allow her to successfully participate at this level," Jackson said. "In the upcoming weeks, she will undergo a surgical procedure to promote the long-term health of her knee."

• Sophomore forward Liz Lay has been limited by knee tendinitis, but should play tonight.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com