Newcomer Paulina Hersler just wrapped up training camp with her native Sweden which is set to compete in the 2017 World University Games held in Taipei City, Taiwan.
Hersler is a 6-foot-3 graduate transfer from UCLA who has one season of eligibility remaining and will suit up for the Gators in 2017-18.
Hersler has already taken summer classes at Florida and departed Gainesville on August 4 for Sweden to begin preparations for the international event.
Women’s basketball preliminary competition begins August 21 and concludes with the medal games on August 28.
Paulina checks in from Sweden:
- “We are about to finish training camp in Sweden tonight (August 15) and tomorrow (August 16) we are heading to Taiwan.”
- “It has been a pretty short but intense camp with a lot of playing and preparation for the University games.”
- “Some of us that they want on the senior national team did some green screening after practice today but for the University games, it’s the U24 team.”
- “Sending some pictures and videos from today’s shoot. I’m obviously speaking in Swedish.”
- “I’ll send you more updates when the University games start. Go Gators!â€
Sweden’s Schedule
- August 21 vs. Hungary: 5:30 a.m. ET
- August 22 vs. Chinese Taipei: 8 a.m. ET
- August 23 vs. Chile: 5:30 a.m. ET
- August 26: preliminary games
- August 28: preliminary and medal games
Hear from Hersler
We caught up with Hersler before she left and here’s some of what she shared with us:
On playing with the National Team:
- “I just love playing for the national team. I’ve been playing with the national team since I was 16. Every summer there is some type of tournament and it’s such an honor to play with a national team and you get to be around people who faced during the season when I played in Sweden. Some of my really close friends are on the team. It’s a different dynamic in terms of playing for a country and I love that. Every time I get the opportunity to play for my country, I get so excited because I love it.â€
UF coach Cameron Newbauer on Hersler:
- “We are very proud of Paulina and the opportunity she has to represent Sweden in the World University Games. She has worked hard this summer in preparation for this and her upcoming senior year.”
- “We wish her all the best and look forward to her return to campus and hearing about her experiences.â€
VIDEO: Get to Know Paulina!
Quick Info about the World University Games, from the event’s official website:
- The only summer multi-sport event in the world that connects students at both academic and athletic levels
- Held every other year
- 12 days of sports competitions
- 2017 marks the event’s 29th year
- More than 9,000 student-athletes and officials from over 170 countries
- 14 compulsory sports and up to 3 optional sports
- Volunteers and participants are students, generally of the same age
- Broadcasted by more than 100 TV channels
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