From kangaroos and balmy weather to squirrels and snow advisories, Australia and Michigan are worlds apart. But those differences didn't deter coaches from the MSU women's tennis team from venturing to the outback in search of talent.

Of 11 players on its roster, two hail from Australia.

"Our assistant coach is Australian," MSU head coach Tim Bauer said. "That's how I got in touch with the Australian players."

Junior Caroline Lay, who is from Brisbane, Queensland, has been exceptional during her time at MSU. Last spring, she led the team in overall wins, singles wins, singles winning percentage, Big Ten wins and Big Ten singles wins.

Freshman Jean Willmann, from Alberton, South Australia, has amassed a 3-1 record this season in both singles and doubles play.

Bauer said the foreign-born talent, along with the mix of local talent, makes for a great team experience. Although both women seem comfortable on the court, off the court is another story.

One of the many things the Australian players have had the opportunity to "savor" are Michigan winters.

And it's safe to say blizzards, freezing winds, sub-zero temperatures and wearing longjohns are some of the things they could have gone without.

"I've never seen snow before," Willmann said. "I'm not used to it, I've forgotten my gloves a couples of times. I didn't even think I was going to need gloves."

Willmann said being here is a huge contrast from Australian life and even the simplest of things have given her trouble.

"Just little things, like crossing the street were difficult at first," she said. "I've almost been almost run over twice."

Being in Michigan for just a month, Willmann has needed help adjusting to life in the states. And Lay has been the big sister to Willmann.

"I had help when I first got here," Lay said. "So I just decided to continue that with her."

Willmann said life at MSU has been pretty overwhelming. She also said she scheduled all her classes close to her dorm so she wouldn't get lost. And even with the weather being as cold as it has, she still walks to class because of the sights on the way.

"You can't walk past the cute little squirrels if you take the bus," she said.

Like Willmann, the weather startled Lay when she had her first encounter with a Michigan winter. She made it a priority to buy a big coat and a pair of boots.

Even with all her new gear, Lay still had encountered some mishaps.

"I still couldn't walk," she said. "I was slipping and sliding everywhere."

Lay said she has come to appreciate the different climates at different times of the year.

Along with that, she is preparing to begin another phase in her life in the U.S.

"I'm looking for a car right now," she said. "I'm scared to drive in the snow though. And I'll have to adjust to driving on the other side of the street."

Both Lay's and Willmann's accents make it fairly easy to distinguish where they're from. And the thickness of those accents has made for some interesting encounters.

"Just because of their accents, even if they go into a restaurant and ask for water, it sounds like something different," Bauer said. "People look at them like they're from another planet."

Lay's thoughts on her accent were the complete opposite of her coach's.

"I didn't think it was that obvious," she said. "Maybe it's thicker than I thought."

Although they're thousands of miles away from their homeland, both players have reminders of Australia.

Last Sunday was Australia Day, which is equivalent to the Fourth of July, and Lay and Willman, along with their teammates, celebrated all day long.

"In our match, Jean and I had Australia tattooes on our legs," Lay said. "And during my match, all the girls started a chant every Australian knows. Then that night, everyone came over and watched the Super Bowl."

Lay said the Australian flag was on display throughout the festivities. Authentic Australian dishes and snacks were served along with a cake.

With all the new things this "Aussie connection" has been experiencing, coach Bauer spoke of a broader experience that helps the entire roster.

"Universities are interested in diversity," he said. "I think it makes for a very educational environment that can help all the players way beyond their college years."