Northwestern University Athletics
Players, Coaches Enjoy Undefeated Trip to Europe
7/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 16, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern was well-represented on this year's Big Ten Women's Basketball Foreign Tour team. Head Coach June Olkowski and assistant Tricie Johnson led the squad to a perfect 5-0 record during the 10-day trip through Europe. Senior center Leslie Dolland (Bloomington, Minn./The Blake School) and sophomore guard Melissa Culver (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) were key contributors for the all-star team.
"It was a real positive experience for everyone," Olkowski said of the trip. "We got a chance to enjoy the people and cultures there and play great basketball, too."
Olkowski's charges included representatives from all 11 Big Ten schools. She and Johnson managed the balanced lineup carefully, with each of the 12 players averaging between 14 and 20 minutes per game.
The team spent five days in the Netherlands, playing against the Dutch National Team and Dan Helder BBC. The All-Stars then traveled to Belgium, scoring wins over three club teams.
"We weren't just playing for the Big Ten," Olkowski said. "We were representing the United States, and I think the players wore that proudly."
Culver, NU's top three-point shooter a year ago, proved to be one of the All-Stars' biggest three-point threats as well. She drained three treys in the team's final game, a 96-62 win over Meetjesland in Kaprijke, Belgium. Culver finished the trip with a team-best six three-pointers.
Dolland, NU's third leading rebounder in 2001-02, was tough on the glass during the tour. She grabbed nine boards against Ekeren, another Belgian club, and averaged 4.8 rebounds per game, second among the All-Stars.
"(Dolland and Culver) got a chance to relax a little," Olkowski said. "I think the trip helped them gain experience and confidence."
This year's touring team was the second consecutive Big Ten squad to leave Europe with a 5-0 record.
GAME 1
Big Ten 80
Netherland National Team 57
GAME 2
Big Ten 96
Dan Helder BBC 62
GAME 3
Big Ten 86
Ekeren BBC 52
GAME 4
Big Ten 101
Euronyl Warogem 90
GAME 5
Big Ten 96
Meetjesland 62
