Bevilaqua can't wait for Olympic debut

Indiana Fever's Australian point guard Tully Bevilaqua says she has been riding an "emotional roller-coaster" as she prepares for her first Olympic campaign.

Bevilaqua was set to leave her WNBA team after facing the New York Liberty in the Outdoor Classic at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday to train with the Opals for next month's Beijing Olympics.

Bevilaqua, who turns 36 on Saturday, was a member of Australia's gold medal-winning squad at the 2006 world championship.

"It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster," Bevilaqua said.

"Just waiting for the announcement of the (Olympic) team, and then finally hearing the announcement.

"And then trying to keep it all on the down low, because obviously trying to focus on the Fever."

She will join Seattle's Lauren Jackson, who left the Storm last weekend, and Phoenix's Penny Taylor, who has missed the entire season, on Australia's national team.

"We will obviously miss Tully during her absence," Fever coach Lin Dunn said in a statement.

"But we wish her all the best as she prepares for the Olympics.

"Our other guards, particularly LaToya Bond, Tan White and Katie Douglas, are going to have to carry the load and pick up the intensity."