May 7, 2009

CINCINNATI - Xavier University women's basketball standout Ta'Shia Phillips has been selected as a member of the 2009 USA Women's World University Games Team Trials roster, which includes 29 of the nation's best college athletes who will contend for one of 12 roster spots on the 2009 USA Basketball Women's World University Games Team. The trials invitations were extended by the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Committee.

"I am extremely happy for Ta'Shia as this is great recognition for her and all that she has accomplished," said head coach Kevin McGuff. "I am very proud of her efforts and I know she will represent herself and our program in a first class manner."

Phillips was recently selected as the 2009 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year after leading Xavier to a 25-7 record, an A-10 Regular Season Championship and the team's third-straight berth into the NCAA Tournament. Phillips finished fourth nationally in both rebounding and field goal percentage and she was selected as an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press.

"We are looking forward to a few great days of trials competition for the World University Games team," said Sue Donohoe, chair of the Women's Junior National Team Committee and NCAA Vice President for Division I Women's Basketball. "These young players are extremely talented, and there will be a very high level of competition for the opportunity to be selected to represent the United States in the World University Games. The committee is anxious to begin the evaluation process and anticipates a great team trial."

Trials to select finalists for the 2009 USA Basketball Women's World University Games Team will be held May 14-17 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The selected finalists will return to Colorado Springs on June 18 for training camp, and the team is expected to depart for Serbia on June 25. The 12-member roster will be announced prior to the team's departure.

The World University Games is organized by the International University Sports Federation and held every other year. The 2009 women's basketball competition will take place July 1-11 in Belgrade, Serbia. Eligible athletes for the USA team must be currently enrolled in a college or university and have remaining NCAA athletic eligibility.