αντιο σας & Arrivederci!
West Virginia departed Athens on Thursday at noon local time. After a long day of travel, the Mountaineers arrived safely in Morgantown in the early hours of Friday morning.
Beach Day!
On their final day in Greece, the Mountaineers hit the beach! The team traveled to Glyfada Beach, just outside Athens, for a dip in the Mediterranean Sea at a beach club.
The Acropolis
On Tuesday, the Mountaineers toured some of the ancient landmarks around Athens. The travel party climbed to the top of the Acropolis, taking in the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus and the Erechtheum, among others.
WVU Arrives in Greece, Faces Greek National Team
The West Virginia University women’s basketball team safely arrive in Greece this week after a week in Italy, set for sightseeing and its final contest of the tour.
Upon landing in Athens, the Mountaineers checked into the hotel then quickly departed for practice. The team stretched and went through a full session at the training hall at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens.
Following practice, the team had dinner at a local Greek restaurant and headed to bed after a long day.
On Monday, some members of the travel party did a brief walking tour of the Plaka District with a local guide, visiting the shops and grabbing lunch. The players spent the morning relaxing, heading to a pregame meal midday.
That evening, the team departed for the Olympic Center to take on the Greek National Team, featuring several players who competed for local foe Robert Morris.
Despite a strong run late in the game, the Mountaineers fell to the Greeks, 50-47. Newcomer Arleighshya McElroy, who arrived in Morgantown just 10 days ago from Trinity Valley Community College, led the squad with a 13-point effort after going 8-of-12 from the free-throw line. Sophomore guard Madisen Smith had 12 points, while junior guard Kysre Gondrezick had nine. Sophomore forward Kari Niblack put up eight as the Mountaineers capped their basketball experience in Europe.
“The experience of being here in Italy and Greece has brought me really close to the team,” said McElroy. “They’re all really funny and outgoing, which I love. I came in nervous to play with them. I just didn’t know how it was going to be. I feel like we’re going to be a really good team. They push me to where I need to be.”
West Virginia still has two days remaining to explore the city of Athens. The team is set to tour the Acropolis and the Parthenon and visit the zoo on Tuesday. Additionally, the Mountaineers will head to the Plaka district for more sightseeing, shopping and dinner.
The team will cap the trip with a visit to nearby Glyfada Beach on Wednesday. The Mountaineers will return to the United States on Thursday.
Arrivederci, Sorrento!
On the team’s final night in Sorrento, the Mountaineers took part in a pizza making lesson at a local cooking school. Their final meal in Italy was the fruits of their labor - homemade pizza!
Talkin’ ‘Bout Practice
On to Sorrento!
On Thursday, WVU said “Arrivederci!” to Rome and boarded a bus bound for Sorrento. On the way, the Mountaineers stopped to visit Mt. Vesuvius and tour Pompeii.
Later that evening the team arrived in Sorrento, where the will remain until Sunday.
Day No. 3 in Rome
On our final day in Rome, the Mountaineer travel party had the opportunity to visit the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
Mountaineers Tour Rome, Take on Dutch National Team
ROME (Aug. 6, 2019) – In less than 48 hours in Rome, the West Virginia University women’s basketball team has toured several landmarks and played the first of three scheduled contests.
The team landed in Rome at 8:30 a.m. Monday and immediately hit the city. After a quick brunch, the team toured the Colosseum and spent two hours learning the legendary background of the historic structure.
Following a late afternoon siesta, the Mountaineers headed to a local restaurant for a traditional Italian dinner. After several courses of antipasti, pasta, seafood risotto and entrees of fish or ribeye, the night ended with cappuccinos for some and the choice of famous Italian sweets like tiramisu or cannoli for all.
West Virginia was up and at ‘em again on Tuesday, departing the hotel for Vatican City soon after breakfast. The Mountaineers toured through the Vatican museums, marveling at the historic paintings, sculptures and tapestries on the way through. They also took a few quiet moments to reflect in the Sistine Chapel.
“It was all very breathtaking,” said sophomore forward Kari Niblack. “I couldn't pick one thing. I learned a lot about the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo throughout the tour. The Sistine Chapel was overwhelmingly peaceful and amazing.”
Teammate Kysre Gondrezick echoed her sentiments.
“I was amazed by the history in the art painted by such revered artists like Michelangelo.”
The Mountaineers finished the tour with a walk through St. Peter’s Basilica, viewing the Pietà by Michelangelo, bronze sculptures and relics. Several players purchases items blessed by Pope Francis to take home.
“I loved seeing the artwork and learning the history of it,” said freshman guard Kirsten Deans.
West Virginia capped the night with a game against the Dutch National Team. Deans and junior guard Arleighshya McElroy made their Gold and Blue debuts, though the contest was called early in the fourth quarter. Deans led the way with 10 points, hitting three shots from the field and adding four more at the free-throw line. Senior guard Lucky Rudd drained a pair of 3-pointers on her way to a nine-point effort, while Gondrezick chipped in six points and sophomore guard Madisen Smith added five.
Wednesday’s rematch with the Dutch National Team has been canceled. The WVU travel party is set to visit the Trevi Fountain ad Spanish Steps in the morning.
Day 1 in Rome: The Colosseum
We started our trip off in Rome with a tour of the Colosseum. The team also enjoyed brunch after the flight and a welcome dinner in the evening.
Mountaineers Embark on European Tour
The West Virginia University women’s basketball team departed on Sunday for an 11-day trip to Europe, where the Mountaineers will play a trio of games in addition to tours of Italy and Greece.
The NCAA allows teams to take foreign tours every four years. This year’s tour brings WVU to Rome and Sorrento, Italy, as well as Athens, Greece. The players, coaching staff and support staff are joined on the trip by several members of the Mountaineer Athletic Club.
“It’s about getting the team together and team bonding,” coach Mike Carey said. “We have a bunch of new players. We’re excited to go.”
On Sunday, the team traveled from Morgantown to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., where the Mountaineers will board a flight to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome. The squad be in Rome from Monday, Aug. 5, through Thursday, Aug. 8 and will play the Dutch National Team at 1 p.m. EST on Aug. 7-8. WVU will tour the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Spanish Steps.
The Mountaineers head to Sorrento on Thursday, Aug. 8. They’ll stop to tour Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius while en route. In addition to some free time to explore Sorrento, WVU will participate in a pizza-making class.
West Virginia departs Italy on Aug. 11 and will fly from Naples International Airport to Athens International Airport. While in Greece, the team will practice that Sunday and take on the Greek National Team on Aug. 12 in a 12 p.m. EST tipoff. In Athens, the Mountaineers will visit the Plaka District, the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Glyfada Beach and, at the special request of coach Carey, the Attica Zoological Park.
“I, personally, want to see Greece,” senior guard Lucky Rudd said. “Greece has always been a dream vacation for me. I’m looking forward to Greece the most and the beach we’re going to.”
WVU will depart Greece on Thursday, Aug. 15, and will return to Pittsburgh late that night.