PREP GIRLS TENNIS: A Q and A with Temecula Valley's Francesca Cozza


TEMECULA ---- Temecula Valley's girls tennis team sure did luck out during the offseason.

After finishing in second place of the Southwestern League in 2011, the Bears were in need of one more piece if they wanted to be able to contend with a strong Murrieta Valley squad in 2012.

Their hopes became a reality in August when they found out that 17-year-old Italian foreign exchange student Francesca Cozza would be attending Temecula Valley this year.

Cozza, who played tennis at home in Italy, has been a crucial part of the Bears success this season.

The Californian recently caught up with Cozza to discuss her first impression of the United States as well as her thoughts on how being part of the team helped her assimilation into the American culture. 

Question: How has your experience been so far here in the United States?

Answer: I like it here. The weather has been great. In Italy it would be raining every day. The people have been very friendly as well, I always see lots of smiles and they have been very helpful. And I have enjoyed my school experience as well, I like my teachers and the classes are a little easier here then they are in Italy.

Q: How excited were you when you found out that you would be coming to Southern California?

A: I think that coming to California is the dream of a lot of Europeans (Laughing). We get a lot of our ideas of what it's like from the movies, and a lot of it is true like the weather and the beach. But there are some differences.

Q: What is the biggest difference?

A: Parents are a lot stricter here. In Italy, we would be going out at 9 p.m., where here everyone is in bed by half past nine. But that is a good thing though.

Q: How nice was it to be able to join the tennis team as soon as you arrived?

A: When I first came here I knew no one, and joining the team really helped me because I met a group of great girls. They helped with everything, from my history test to trip to the mall.

Q: Did they help you improve your English as well?

A: Oh my gosh yeah! When I first got here I understood so little, now I even understand the songs, I get what Justin Beiber is saying! (laughing)

Q: How long have you been playing tennis for?

A: I have been playing since I was 8.

Q: How have you enjoyed the team aspect of high school tennis?

A: It is so fun. I played singles back home, and never really got to play as part of a team. It's so nice to have everyone cheering for you and you are never alone. I love all the support.

Q: Do you enjoy any other sports then Tennis?

A: I like to ski as well. My father used to ski competitively, so I kind of followed in his footsteps. I was on a team and everything, but I eventually stopped because I wasn't into all the cold weather.

Q: Have you tried any of the Pizza out here?

A: No No No (laughing). We cannot talk about the food. There is no comparison with Italian food.


