The Longwood women’s basketball team will have the opportunity to bond as a team over the next week on foreign soil, as the Lancers embark on a 10-day trip to Italy.

The Lancers will provide three clinics throughout the trip and are scheduled to play four games against international opponents.

“There are many benefits to be gained from our trip to Italy,” said head coach Bill Reinson. “Perhaps the most important advantage was the 10 days of practice that we just completed. We were able to get a huge head start on the upcoming season in terms of conditioning and implementing our offense.”

Senior Raven Williams and sophomore Autumn Childress will chronicle Longwood’s journey throughout the trip. Recaps for each of Longwood’s games will also be available on LongwoodLancers.com.

The Lancers will have the opportunity to spread the Longwood brand to Europe while providing two separate clinics for area youth. In addition, the Lancers will play against four professional teams, including a Tuesday night match-up against the Cameroon National Team.

In San Marino, the Lancers will have the opportunity to work with disabled athletes prior to facing the Adriatic Sea Sirens professional team in the team’s third game of the trip.

“We will conduct clinics for two youth groups as well as a group of disabled athletes. Sharing our experience and culture with these young men and women will be a great learning experience for both parties,” Reinson said.

In addition, the Lancers will visit a local children’s hospital in Salsomaggiore, before visiting the University of Florence three days later to explore the higher education system in Italy.

The trip will also provide the chance for freshmen Kemari Jones, Ashlee Jones, Ciarah Bennett and Kate Spradlin to debut, as well as junior college transfer Eboni Gilliam, to get acclimated with the team in a game setting prior to the start of the season.

“We will be playing four games against quality opponents, which will allow our incoming players to gain valuable experience,” Reinson said.

Longwood returns 11 letterwinners from last season’s squad, including Daeisha Brown, a preseason All-Big South Second Team selection, and Williams, a honorable mention Big South performer.

Longwood University

Women’s Basketball

Italy Game Schedule

Wednesday, Aug. 12 vs. Adriatic Sea Sirens at 1:30 p.m. in Pesaro

Saturday, Aug. 15 vs. TK Hannover at 12:30 p.m. in Pisa