UNLV women gear for trip to Europe

Victoria Sun

Friday, Aug. 10, 2001 | 10:37 a.m.

Kinesha Davis has never been to Europe.

Neither have teammates Julia Gray or Courtney Swanson.

But when the UNLV women's basketball team starts its 12-day tour of Europe spanning three countries on Saturday, sightseeing will take a back seat to basketball.

"This trip will give me an opportunity to finally play in game situations with my teammates," Gray said Thursday after practice. "Last year I practiced with them, but never got to play.

"I'll be able to get a feel for the team in Europe. We're going to have fun over there and take care of business."

The business at hand will be playing two games in Germany, the homeland of Lady Rebels Linda Frohlich and Petra Glaser, and three games in Belgium before returning to Las Vegas on Aug. 22.

Frohlich, of Oldendorf, and Glaser, of Amtsberg, are already back home awaiting the rest of the team.

"They are so excited," Swanson said. "Their families and friends never get a chance to see them play.

"Just to have their families watch them, it's more than what they could hope for and what any player wants."

Head coach Regina Miller believes the trip will not only be a good cultural and educational experience for the team, but one that will help the Lady Rebels prepare for the upcoming season.

UNLV lost in the second round of the WNIT, finishing 19-10 overall and 8-6 in the conference last season.

If the Lady Rebels are to fulfill their hopes of earning an NCAA Tournament berth, they will have to adjust to having a new point guard in Gray. The 5-foot-7 Gray is expected to be largely responsible for filling the void left by Dayna Gambill, who graduated.

Gray, a point guard from Riverside, Calif., transferred to UNLV last season and sat out per NCAA rules. Joining her on the bench was shooting guard Casey Hoffman, who transferred from St. Bonaventure.

"Just the fact that Julia and Casey are able to go with us, I think it gives us an edge," Miller said. "Giving them an opportunity for them to play with the team before the season starts is a huge bonus."

Davis agreed that UNLV should be well prepared for the season following its European adventure.

"Conditioning-wise, we've already been able to practice together and we're almost in game shape," Davis noted. "When we get back, other teams will be working out in the preseason.

"We'll have already played five games. It'll help us gel together as a team."