LIVONIA, Mich. - - Madonna University women's basketball players Christie Carrico (Waterford, Mich.) and Tabatha Wydryck (Wyandotte, Mich.) have been chosen to represent the United States as part of a foreign tour starting Monday (June 1).

The duo are traveling to Europe as part of a team from USA Athletes International, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving amateur athletes and coaches the opportunity to participate in international Olympic-style sporting events throughout the world, while also allowing them to broaden their educational and cultural knowledge of the world through the experience.

During their tour of Austria and Italy, Carrico and Wydryck will be part of an eight-player team that will face off with local sides in friendly contests while also being immersed in the culture of the region.

Carrico recently completed her MU career and ranks second all-time in rebounds. Wydryck, a rising junior, is a two-time All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference pick and was second on the MU squad this season in scoring, averaging 10.31 points per game.

"USA Athletes International contacted Coach (Carl) Graves that they were interested in us and he got us in contact with them to get the ball rolling," said Wydryck prior to her departure. "I've always wanted to go abroad and thought this would be a cool way to see other parts of the world and on top of that I get to play basketball. It just shows you how much basketball opens up opportunities for you. I'm hoping this will broaden Madonna University's presence in the world with Christie and I being a quarter of the team."

Crusader fans can follow Carrico and Wydryck as the pair will be providing a blog for MadonnaCrusaders.com detailing their trip.