WASHINGTON - The GW women's basketball team is embarking on a 10-day foreign tour of Spain. The Colonials are set to play four exhibition games against European clubs during the trip, which runs Aug. 13-23. 

The Colonials tour will include stops in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. 

"This foreign tour will give our team a much-needed opportunity to grow close to one another, on and off the court," head coach Jennifer Rizzotti said. "More importantly, the women's basketball program at GW has deep roots in Spain and Spanish basketball. Noelia, Elisa and Anna all left home for illustrious careers in Foggy Bottom and beyond, including roles on the Spanish Olympic Team. (Noelia Gomez ('99), Elisa Aguilar ('00) and Anna Montañana ('05))

"Connecting with alumni is so important to the way we continue to build this program, and it only makes sense to bring our current team to meet the women who helped set the foundation of success at George Washington. We're excited to spend time with them, learn about their experiences at GW, and enjoy their culture for a few days."

GW started getting ready Wednesday with the first of 10 NCAA-permitted practices ahead of its departure. It will be the program's first offseason foreign trip under Rizzotti, who will head back to Spain in September as an assistant coach with Team USA for the 2018 FIBA World Cup of Basketball.

The extra on-court workouts, plus the exhibitions and bonding time in Spain, figure to give the Colonials a leg up on the 2018-19 season.

In Spain, the Colonials will mix business and pleasure with an array of sightseeing opportunities around their playing schedule. The itinerary highlights include a scavenger hunt around Madrid, a tapas crawl in Toledo and a catamaran cruise in Cambrils. In Barcelona, they will take in a flamenco show and visit the city's famed Sagrada Familia church.

GW is slated for its first exhibition Aug. 15 when it faces CD CREF in its home gym in Madrid. The top club in Spain's capital plays in the country's Liga Femenina de Baloncesto.

Three days later, the Buff and Blue takes on the Valencia All-Stars at L'Alqueria del Basket in the seaside city on the Mediterranean Coast.

To close the competitive portion of its trip, the Colonials will meet ZKK Celje on back-to-back days (Aug. 21-22) at Pavelló Esportiu Municipal in Barcelona. The Slovenian club has won seven straight titles in its home country's top league and in 2017 captured the regional Adriatic League crown.

"This is something you can't do every day," said senior forward Kelsi Mahoney. "To get to do this with some of your best friends while playing the game you love, I'm so incredibly thankful. I know these memories are going to last a lifetime."

Be sure to follow along with the Colonials during their travels through Spain with updates posted on Twitter (@GW_WBB), Instagram (@GW_WBB), Facebook (George Washington Women's Basketball) and GWSports.com.

You can also check out their pre-trip preparations here.

Game Schedule

Wednesday, Aug. 15 vs. CD CREF
Tip-off: 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET) at Canal de Isabel II Sports Centre in Madrid

Women's Hoops Earns Exhibition Win in Madrid

Saturday, Aug. 18 vs. Valencia All-Stars
Tip-off: 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET) at L'Alqueria del Basket in Valencia

Monday, Aug. 20 vs. ZKK Celje
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. ET) at Pavelló Esportiu Municipal in Barcelona

Tuesday, Aug. 21 vs. ZKK Celje
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. ET) at Pavelló Esportiu Municipal in Barcelona