University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles begin practice in advance of Costa Rica trip
7/17/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- It may be July, but it feels like the regular season again for Southern Miss Women's Basketball. The team held its first official practice on Monday night to prepare for its journey to Costa Rica from Aug. 6-13.
NCAA basketball teams are allowed one foreign trip every four years and receive 10 days of official practice to prepare for it. This is the Lady Eagles' first-ever preseason foreign trip, and their only regular-season journey came in Cancun in 2009.
"We're excited to start what I call real practice," head coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. "All our players are in town, and so we are excited to see who we are and what we have. We can also see how our newcomers will fit in, especially with three girls who sat out last season as redshirts. We will start with six new players (three freshmen, sit out)."
The Lady Eagles will reach their destination Aug. 6 and experience the landscape with some local community events as well, such as visiting schools to play basketball-related games. Competition will be held from Aug. 7-9 against the Costa Rican National Team, Guatemalan National Team and the Mexican Professional Team. The remainder of the trip will feature exotic views, horseback and ATV riding, zip-lining and so much more.
"Going to Costa Rica is going to give us an opportunity to learn about ourselves, on and off the court," McNelis said. "When you take one of these trips, it's really three-fold. You gain experience by playing high-quality teams, develop team bonding in a country you really don't know much about and get the educational experience.
"We are fortunate through The Wings foundation and the golf tournaments we have hosted that has helped us afford a special trip like this. We are so thankful for our sponsors, golfers and volunteers who have made our tournament a success and all the people that have supported us through the process. We want to return united as one."
