The University of Windsor is hosting the 2014 CIS Women’s Basketball Championship tournament from March 14 to 16 at the St. Denis Centre. Over the course of the next six weeks, the Windsor Lancers will offer a sneak peak at members of the three-time defending champions and give you an inside look at these student-athletes.

Name: Tessa Kreiger

Jersey: #14

Position: Centre

Height: 6’4

Year: 3

Hometown: Belmont, ON

Major: Kinesiology

Who or what is your favourite?

Athlete: Dwyane Wade

Basketball team: Miami Heat

Television show: One Tree Hill and The O.C.

Song: “Stay” or “These are the Days,” both by Sugarland

Disney movie: The Lion King

Food: Mom’s Homemade Stuffed Noodles and her Black Forest Cake

Candy: Kit Kat and Cookies and Cream Chocolate Bars

Author: Robyn Carr, Shel Silverstein

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be anything and everything at some point in my childhood. I think I wanted to be an Interior Designer, Marine Biologist, Orthodontist, and Fitness Club owner to name a few. I’ve decided to just be a crazy cat lady, it’s much simpler.

What was the last book you read?

Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr

What is your favourite Lancer moment?

I have two: winning both the 2011/12 and 2012/13 national championships. The first championship was surreal; it was my first year as a Lancer, and it was one of my best games of my rookie career. The second championship was special because we played Regina on their home court, on St. Patrick’s Day. The entire gym was filled with green, and it was amazing to beat them on their turf. I will always remember these two games, and I cannot wait to play for my third and the team’s fourth this season on our home court!

What is your greatest accomplishment?

It’s a tie between winning two national championships and being a member of the Women’s National Development team two summers in a row.

Who is your hero and why?

My great-grandma is one of my biggest heroes. She is currently 100 years old, living by herself, and a survivor of breast cancer. I find it amazing that she still has the ability to live by herself at her age. When we inquired about her wanting to move to a nursing home, she replied “over my dead body.” She is one of the most caring and giving individuals I have met, and I am incredibly inspired by her.

P.S. the kicker to the story, she lives off of muffins, expired milk and candy. Hey coach, how about that diet!?

What does being a Lancer mean to you?

Being a Lancer varsity athlete means a lot to me. Not only do I get to represent the amazing city of Windsor, I also have the ability to represent my home town of Belmont and my little-known high school, East Elgin Secondary School. Not only does me being a Lancer mean a lot to me, it also means a lot to everyone who has supported me to this point of my athletic career; my family, friends, and old coaches and teachers. I like to do my best at all times in order to represent them and give back to them for their countless hours and dollars they have spent to get me to where I am today.

To purchase tickets to the 2014 CIS Women’s Basketball Championships, please visit the Windsor Lancers website at www.goLancers.ca.