Tessa Boagni's Matador team begins their season this Friday (Saturday 15 November in NZ - 11am), as they host the University of Idaho Vandals in their Home Opener. Boagni led the Matador team in minutes (23) in their exhibition win over the Master's College, and rebounds (7), with a final score of 90-56. Box Score

Tessa took some time out of her schedule to give us some insight in to how she's finding it over at California State University, Northridge.

On the transition to a college programme: It has been quite challenging. It is a completely different level of play here, the intensity and physicality is so much higher, and expected from you right from the start. Once we started our full team practices it was a shock to the system. There is no comparison to any training I have done in New Zealand. 

How her teammates have helped her so far: I have already benefitted so much from having Camille (Senior) and Jasmine (Junior) as my fellow post players. We are constantly going against each other when our team separates into post/perimeter players in practices, and when we scrimmage as well. Camille was the defensive player of the year for Big West last year so going up against her everyday definitely has its advantages!

Her role, and how she played in the exhibition game earlier:  I knew that I would be getting some court time to prove myself in the game against Master's College, as it was only an exhibition game. But I was surprised by how much time I did get. I'm not sure how much I will be playing throughout the season, but I guess it depends on how i perform in practices. It's a lot different here because I am not in a team where I am guaranteed minutes. I have to work hard in trainings to prove myself. Or else I'll be warming up the bench!

On all her responsibilities, and classwork:  It is so full on here, you hardly get any down time to yourself. We train and do weights from 7.30-11am most days then we shower and do recovery, eat, then have 2-3 classes a day. After class I usually go to tutoring or study hall which are both mandatory. (I do 5 hours study hall and 4 hours tutoring a week!) All of this does help heaps academically, because you are forced to do home work and study, so it really does make it a lot easier. (Because I know if I didn't have to go to study hall I would be lying in bed eating rather than doing study).

All of us here at Canterbury Basketball are extremely proud of Tessa's accomplishments here, and in terms of securing a scholarship, and we're definitely looking forward to seeing how here college career progresses!

To keep up to date with all of the Matadors' news and scores, and how Tessa is going, make sure to visit their website here