SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Tia Hay, a 5-7 guard from Australia, will sign with Colorado State on Nov. 11 to play for the Rams next fall.

“I visited a couple weeks ago and I had never been to Colorado,” said Hay. “It was cool to visit and is a really nice campus. They really like the coaching staff and team and the campus is beautiful.”

Hay, who is from Melbourne, will suit up for St. Francis for the first time on Nov. 30 against West Campus. She moved to the United States this year and has played for two clubs, Just Believe Sports and Cal Stars, over the summer where she attracted the recruiting interest. She was ranked at the No. 14 recruit in the Class of 2016 by NorCalPreps.com and is listed as a three-star recruit by ESPN.

“I felt I could fit in with the basketball situation (at Colorado State) and my mom and I felt it was a good decision,” said Hay, who will play at CSU with former club teammate Gracie Colaivalu (Rosemont HS).

She will play for Head Coach Ryun Williams, who has led Colorado State to back-to-back Mountain West regular season titles and is the preseason favorite again this season.

Hay has spent the last few months adjusting to her new school.

“It was a massive change,” said Hay. “Everything is the complete opposite – the culture, the food. But it has been amazing. I love it. I never thought I would love school this much. St. Francis has been open arms. The people and teachers have been so welcoming and caring. I have made some great friends and had a lot of support. I am glad I am here.”

The play on the basketball court also took an adjustment.

“It was pretty intense especially the basketball,” said Hay. “Everything is so much faster, physical and at another level. Adjusting to it was pretty hard especially my first few games and trainings. It is taken a lot more seriously here so I have been able to develop my game and improve.”

Hay played club in Australia (Last Club: Diamond Valley Basketball Association) that played games on Friday nights and trained two times a week. The intensity of the basketball at the prep level has surprised her and is one of her favorite aspects about the sport in the U.S.

“I love the atmosphere the crowd brings,” said Hay of playing in the state. “It gets you going especially playing in America you guys love sports. (I love) playing in front of a big audience, being together with a team, bonding and playing really well to see how far we can go.”

Hay, who can play the point or No. 2 guard spot, loves to score. She joins a St. Francis team with six returning letter winners and four returning seniors.

“I am pumped and I am excited to play,” said Hay. “It will be my first high school game.”

Hay will participate in the St. Francis National Letter of Intent Signing Day Celebration on Nov. 11 at 9 a.m.