From NYU Athletics
Two members of the New York University women's basketball team, Megan Dawe and Kaitlyn Read, will travel to Brazil later this month as part of the USA Sports Tours & Events D-3 Women's Basketball Team.
The squad is made up of top NCAA Division III players from around the country who have received All-America, All-Region or All-Conference honors. Both Dawe and Read were First Team All-University Athletic Association (UAA) and Second Team All-Met selections. In addition, Read was named to the Women's DIII News All-Freshman Team and was chosen as D3Hoops.com East Region Rookie of the Year.
"This is an outstanding group of basketball players, some of the best of the best representing almost every region in the country," said Ron Smith, Director of USA Sports Tours & Events. "These players have been high achievers both on the court and in the classroom. They represent everything good that the NCAA Division III institutions have to offer."
Dawe's selection comes on the heels of a sophomore campaign that saw her lead the Violets with 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Read enjoyed a breakout freshman season that included averages of 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, in addition to a team-leading 2.9 steals per game and a school-record .449 three-point shooting percentage. Both players were instrumental in leading the team to a 20-6 overall record, including a 9-5 mark in UAA play, as well as a berth in the NCAA Tournament -- the program's first bid since 2008-09.
"I am thrilled that Megan and Kaitlyn are going to have the experience of traveling abroad and competing on an international level," Head Coach Lauren Hall-Gregory noted. "Both of them are incredible representatives of our basketball program, the athletics department and NYU as a whole. They will certainly make us proud."
The USA D-3 Women's Basketball Team will begin its Brazil Tour 2014 (July 21-30) in Orlando, FL, on Monday, July 21. After orientation and practices in Orlando, the team departs for Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday, July 22. The USA D-3 Basketball Team will play games on July 23, 24 and 25 in the state of Sao Paulo vs. selected teams from the region. On July 26, the team travels to Rio de Janeiro for a game on July 28. The players will depart Brazil on the evening of July 29 and return to Orlando on July 30.
While in Brazil, the student-athletes will experience educational, cultural and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits. While in Rio, the team will be staying on the famous Copacabana Beach and touring the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
"This foreign trip is such a great example of the opportunities athletics can provide to students when they commit to their sport,", Hall-Gregory concluded.