By Jen Toland, College Beat Writer
January 29, 2014
Worcester, MA --- Since returning from an eight-day community service trip to Costa Rica, the Worcester State women's basketball team has won four of its last six games.
"A really good team trip helped with team building and team bonding," Tessmer said. "And our focus is on the MASCAC games because that's what the season is about."
The Lancers conducted clinics for about 40 Costa Rican boys and girls, ages 8-15. Sophomore guard Natasha Gonzales of Milford served as translator. Soccer was the first sport of most of the kids, but they caught on to basketball concepts like spacing, passing and cutting very quickly.
"Some of them are really good," Frankian said. "It was fun to teach all of them because they were bringing things that they learned from us into their games."
The Lancers also played two games against the Costa Rican national team, immersed themselves in the culture, and had a little bit of time for fun (whitewater rafting, zip lining), too.
The trip was coordinated through Beyond Study Abroad, an international education and service-learning organization that uses sports as a vehicle to explore the world and create meaningful cross-cultural relationships.
Worcester State nursing faculty and students also made the trip and spent three days in the community doing evaluations.
"We also tried to make connections for future Worcester State trips to Costa Rica," Tessmer said. "I think putting our players in opportunities to meet new people, play and experience things they would never get here in the United States and help other people out is always positive."
Frankian, whose 2012-13 season was cut short by a torn ACL, has returned to form. She is averaging 12.4 points a game and leads the team in rebounds (7.0 per game) and free throw shooting (85 percent).
To Read More About The Trip, Check Out The Women's Basketball Teams Costa Rica Blog