CLEVELAND, Ohio – In exactly one month, the Cleveland State women's basketball team will take its first-ever Foreign Tour, as head coach Kate Peterson Abiad and the Vikings will be going on a 10-day tour of Italy beginning on August 10. Under NCAA rules, each Division I school is allowed to take a foreign tour once every four years.
The trip, which will run from August 10 – 19, will include multiple basketball games and sightseeing adventures in Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome.
"The opportunity to take these young women overseas to encounter new cultures, see the rich history of Italy, and nurture our team chemistry is outstanding. For most, this will be their first trip outside of the US and I'm excited that we can provide this once-in-a-lifetime experience," Peterson Abiad said.
The Vikings will begin their trip with a quick stop in Milan, before spending two days in Venice where they will play their first two games against local opponents. CSU will then travel to Florence, spending two days enjoying the culture and sights of the city. The team will then conclude their trip with a three-day stop in Rome, playing their third game during this stretch.
While in each city, the Vikings will take guided tours and have the opportunity to do certain activities such as; visit Romeo and Juliet's Balcony, take a gondola tour of Venice, make your own pizza at an authentic Italian kitchen, take a bike tour of Florence, visit the Colosseum and Vatican, enjoy a live opera, and much more.
Make sure to visit CSUVikings.com throughout the 10-day trip, as there will be daily updates with blogs, photos, and videos.
The 2014-15 Team:
The Vikings return all but one letterwinner from last year's squad, including the senior trio of Imani Gordon, Cori Coleman, and Kiersten Green. This trio accounted for 61-percent of CSU's offense last season, as each player notched at least 400 points on the year. Individually, Gordon was named to the 2014 All-Horizon League First Team after averaging 16.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Cleveland State's other returners include juniors Adesuwa Aideyman and Allison Mitchell, and sophomores Chrishna Butler, Khayla Livingston, Brooke Smith, and Olivia Voskuhl. Livingston also picked up an individual postseason honor last year, earning a spot on the 2014 Horizon League All-Newcomer Team.
The nine returners will be joined by five newcomers this season – including sophomore transfer Alexis Eckles who sat out the 2013-14 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Four true freshmen will also join the squad – Ashanti Abshaw (5-9, F – Cleveland Heights, Ohio), Allyssa Copley (6-1, F – Holly, Mich.), Kayla Patterson (6-2, C – Fairborn, Ohio), and Shadae Bosley (6-1, F – Richmond, Ky.).
Head Coach Kate Peterson Abiad
Peterson Abiad is in her 12th season at the helm of the Cleveland State women's basketball program, and has led the Vikings to two Horizon League Tournament titles (2008 & 2010) and two trips to the NCAA Tournament. During the 2011-12 season, she became the winningest coach in program history and currently has 145 wins. Under Peterson Abiad, nine Vikings have earned Horizon League postseason honors, while she has also coached three Defensive Players of the Year, a Player of the Year, and a Newcomer of the Year.
