Members of Women's Basketball Team Set to Play in Australia

For Immediate Release: Monday, June 30, 2008

La Crosse, Wis. – UW-La Crosse senior forward Mackenzie Hunter of Eau Claire (Regis) and senior guard Amanda Waldvogel of Wausau (West) have been selected to play in the 2008 USA Athletes International trip to Australia. The duo will be joined by Eagles’ head coach Lois Heeren on the tour scheduled for June 29-July 11. The itinerary includes a trip to Melbourne and the Gold Coast near Brisbane.

Established in 1991, USA Athletes International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving amateur athletes an opportunity to experience the competition, history and culture of other countries on an international level.

This marks the fourth consecutive year members of the UW-L women’s basketball program has participated in the USA Athletes International Tour. Past trips included stops in Paris, London and Belgium.

It will Hunter’s second trip, traveling to London in her previous stop. “I’m looking forward to learning what their style of play is like and seeing how their basketball compares to ours here in the United States,” says Hunter. “After looking over our scheduled events that we will be doing, the thing I am definitely looking forward to the most is getting to enjoy the wild life animals of Australia,” adds Hunter.

Waldvogel is making her first appearance for USA Athletes International. “I’m extremely excited to go play basketball overseas in Australia and even better yet I get the opportunity to play under coach Heeren,” says Waldvogel. “I’m really looking forward to this great experience.”

Heeren will be making her third trip abroad and will serve as the team's head coach. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Mackenzie, Amanda and myself to participate in an international event,” says Heeren.  “Not only will we be able to experience international basketball, but also broaden our educational and cultural knowledge.  I couldn’t be more excited for our two players to have this opportunity and represent UW-La Crosse women’s basketball and our community.”

The team made up of 10 players will play five games Downunder. The trip includes a six-night stay in Melbourne and a variety of activities. A stop in the Queen Victoria Market and a day trip along the Great Ocean Road are included.

After playing four games in Melbourne, the tour moves to the Gold Coast for a final game. The group will spend four nights on the Gold Coast and visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, featuring over 1,400 Australian mammals, birds and reptiles. The tour also includes time to surf, kayaking and a day trip to Bryon Bay to see dolphins, whales and sea turtles.

Hunter was named to the 2007-08 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) First Team after leading UW-L with 14.9 points per game. She became the fifth player in school history to earn all-conference honors twice in her career (also earned honor in 2005-06). Hunter ranks 15th in career points (991) at UW-L while being first in free throw shooting (83.7%).

Waldvogel played in all 26 games a year ago, averaging 3.8 points. She scored a season-high 12 points against Bethel University (Ind.) and UW-Oshkosh.

Heeren begins her 10th year at the helm of the women’s basketball program in 2008-09. She was named the WIAC Co-Coach of the Year in 2005-06 after leading UW-L to an overall record of 19-8.