COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Following four days of trials featuring 33 of the nation’s top women’s collegiate basketball players, LSU signee Aiysha Smith was named as an alternate to the United States Women’s National Team.
Eleven players were named to the 2001 USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Team while three more were named as finalists for the 12th and final roster spot. Smith is one of four others who were selected as alternates.
“We’ve got a very athletic team and we won’t be the biggest team but we’ll be very athletic and we will be a team that can slash well,” said USA and University of Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan. “We’ve got some good shooters on this team that can spread the floor a little bit for our size inside. We do have some size inside so hopefully we can spread the floor and get the ball inside to them.
Chaired by University of Texas Senior Associate Athletics Director for Men’s and Women’s Athletics Chris Plonsky, the Committee made the selections and will pare the list to the final 12-member team during the August 6-11 training camp which will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Committee’s selection of the 2001 U.S. squad is subject to approval by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
“Winning the gold medal should be a pride thing,” added Ryan. “I think I understand that when you are coaching for the United States of America and playing for the United States of America, there’s only one goal and that’s bringing home the gold.”
Ryan will be assisted by University of Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder and East Carolina University (N.C.) head coach Dee Stokes. Named to the 2001 USA squad were: Chantelle Anderson (Vanderbilt / Vancouver, Wash.); Cori Enghusen (Stanford / Bothell, Wash.); Chrissy Floyd (Clemson / Laurens, S.C.); Caton Hill (Oklahoma / Ada, Okla.); Kara Lawson (Tennessee / Alexandria, Va.); Ashley McElhiney (Vanderbilt / Gleason, Tenn.); Carisse Moody (North Carolina State / Rocky Mount, N.C.); Jenny Roulier (Colorado / Englewood, Colo.); Ayana Walker (Louisiana Tech / Houston, Texas); Shaquala Williams (Oregon / Portland, Ore.) and Shereka Wright (Purdue / Copperas Cove, Texas).
The three who will vie for the 12th and final roster spot are: Tamara Moore (Wisconsin / Minneapolis, Minn.); Loree Payne (Washington / Havre, Mont.); and Lindsey Yamasaki (Stanford / Oregon City, Ore.); while the four alternates, who will be called on if a team member is unable to participate, are: Danielle Crockrom (Baylor / Houston, Texas); Shelia Lambert (Baylor / Seattle, Wash.); Mandy Nightingale (Colorado / Sapulpa, Okla.) and Aiysha Smith (LSU / Detroit, Mich.).