The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, July 13, 2005, Page 10, Image 10
Gritsaeva shines in European games
By MIQUEL JACOBS
STAFF WRITER
USCs women’s basketball team
has five international students as its
scholarship players, a recruiting
pipeline that coach Susan Walvius
has used to attract top talent. The
added bonus of having these
European players on the roster is
that, unlike a majority of the
American counterparts, the players
can play in European
Championships for their
individual countries.
Last season, Gamecocks Lea
Fabbri and Iva Sliskovic helped
their home country Croatia to a
seventh place finish in the
International Basketball
Federation Under-20
Championships, and heralded
freshman Ilona Burgrova
represented the Czech Republic to
an amazing bronze medal finish.
This year, the Gamecocks had
only one player represented in the
championships, Olga Gritsaeva of
Russia.
Gritsaeva, a key reserve last
season and USC’s lone senior for
the upcoming season, played a
major role for Russia in the eight
game European Championships.
Finishing at 5-3, her team
concluded the tournament in 11th
place, but it was the inspired play
of Gritsaeva that should leave
Carolina fans anxious for the 2006
season. Playing in all eight games
and never playing less than 25
minutes in a game, Gritsaeva
averaged 7.6 points, 7.1 rebounds,
2.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game
while in Europe. She also averaged
47 percent from the field. In
contrast, Gritsaeva posted averages
of 2.8 points on 23 percent
shooting, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists
and 0.5 steals per game for the
2005 USC season.
The Russian team began the
tournament hot with back-to
back wins against Poland (70-65)
and Germany (62-51). They then
lost the next two games to Italy
(65-85) and Turkey (89-93)
before rebounding for another
two-game streak against the Czech
Republic (86-71) and Belgium
(78-59).
Gritsaevas best game of the
tournament was arguably against
the Czech Republic team, posting
14 points, six rebounds and five
assists in 29 minutes. To close the
tournament, the Russian team lost
to Germany (60-74) before
pounding Hungary 70-40 to
claim an 11th place finish.
Given the dramatic changes on
the court between Fabbri and
Sliskovic last season after the
FIBA Championships, only the
season will tell if the extra
experience will result in a major
change in play for the senior.
Fortunately, after a down year
last season from learning a new
position as a wing player,
Gritsaeva’s leadership and
experience as the only remaining
member from the NCAA
Tournament team in 2003 should
be enough to help propel
Carolina back into contention for
an SEC title and a shot at the
N CAA Tournament.
Comments on this story ? E-mail
gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu
FILE PHOTO/THE GAMECOCK
Gamecock senior Olga Gritsaeva. center, went home for the
European Championships, leading Russia to a 5-3 record.
n UNIVERSITY OF
SOUmQROUNA9
CAMPUS RECREATION
For more information on
outdoor recreation and
outdoor trips visit the
ORec website, contact
the Outdoor Recreation
office at 576-9397 or
contact John Huck at
huckj@gwm.sc.edu.
http:// campusrec.sc.edu/ orec.asp