NAMPA, Idaho – With all of the good and bad that comes with the first few weeks of college life one thing that has worried Jordan Pinson is her place on the Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team.

The 5-foot-5 point guard from El Paso, Texas, is joining a team with a returning point guard in Marina Valles and a squad that went 22-5 last season and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

"It is really intimidating to join a team like this," Pinson said. "I'm still not over it. I'm still super concerned with where I am on the team, but the girls and the coaches are super encouraging. They tell me good job and that I'm doing well, so that makes it a lot easier."

Her relationship with Valles is also strong, which she said has helped make the transition to college basketball easier.

"I thought it was going to be difficult, but Marina has been super nice and super helpful," Pinson said. "When I get stuck on something in the drills, she is always there to tell me how to fix it."

Best part of college so far
"Just becoming close with the team. Basketball has been a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. The practice and individual workouts have been a lot of fun because the girls make it fun and they are super supportive."

Hardest part of college so far
"Balancing school and basketball. Having to wake up early and going to bed super late because of homework. I'm still trying to figure it out. Study hall makes it easier because I get time to come in here and sit down. I like to sleep a lot, so if I go to my room I want to sleep."

ERIN JENKINS
Jenkins had never heard of Northwest Nazarene until the coaching staff contacted her after seeing her at a basketball tournament in Oregon.

Having lived in Idaho until eighth grade, Jenkins didn't mind the idea of leaving California behind to come to Nampa.

"NNU was the school that made me feel welcomed," she said. "They wanted me more than any other school that was reaching out to me."

Best part of college so far
"Meeting new people and growing with the team. Becoming super good friends with them, that is really fun."

Hardest part of college so far
"Time management and more freedom compared to high school. You don't have classes for seven hours a day, so learning how to adapt to being in college is hard. You have practice in the morning and afternoon and you are really tired and it is difficult to motivate yourself to do homework, but you have to get it done."

GABE MURPHY

Murphy has wasted no time becoming a prominent student on campus. From interacting with nearly everyone in the school's cafeteria to leading cheers at volleyball matches, Murphy's personality is on display.

"My sister played high school volleyball so I've been around it," he said. "I like cheering and being goofy and being funny. Whenever they have themes (at matches) I try to dress up for that as best as I can."

Best part of college so far
"Definitely how much social interaction there is – tons of events. Also, the teachers are willing to help you because the class sizes are so small and they know you and care about you."

Hardest part of college so far
"There are some days where it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to go around. My main goal is to be one of the best athletes I can. I want to put my everything into the program, so I'm exhausting all my energy. We come in for weights in the morning, then class, then practice, then class and then that chunk of time from class to practice is doing homework."

GEORGE REIDY

Moving from the greater-Seattle area to Idaho was a bit of an eye-opener for Reidy.

The city kid was coming to Nampa, which boasts a population of 80,000 or so. While he wasn't entirely sure what to expect, he welcomed the challenge of getting to know a new place.

"I wasn't thinking of all farms or nothing out here, but I knew it would be a lot different than home," he said. "I was excited about it, though, because college is a unique four or five-year experience being. Being out of my comfort zone in a new environment is going to be helpful for my experience."

Best part of college so far
"Being involved with the community. First of all my teammates and coaches – the basketball community – and then the general school community. People from all over the Northwest and the country. I think that has been the coolest part, getting along with different people."

Hardest part of college so far
"Not being able to see my family and close friends. The people that are in your life every single day and then one day you don't see them for a long period of time. Especially being on the basketball team where you don't get Thanksgiving and you only get one week at Christmas. You are basically here year-round."