Ella Mann thought being part of a USA Division III soccer tour of Brazil would be a unique experience but the Centre College soccer would be a unique experience but she underestimated what it would be.

"It was definitely more incredible than I thought," said Mann, who made 20 starts last season as a sophomore for the Colonels. "I knew it would be a different experience from anything in the United States but it was such a different economic and cultural experience. It was life changing."

This team had 17 players from nine different schools and 12 different home states and played four games in Brazil.

"The soccer part was the highlight of my trip. Playing against girls who had such different styles and the interaction with them after the games and learning where they came from and their experiences even with the language barrier was special," Mann said. "Fortunately a lot of their coaches and athletic trainers could interpret and we also had someone with us who could."

Mann said the Brazilian players had skill levels that will make her and Centre teammates Brooke Beasley and Claire Mullen when the Colonels start their season in a few months.

"Their movement off the ball, the way they moved for each other, and their accuracy (with passing) … there were so many things I can incorporate into my game to make me better and the people around me better," Mann said. "I knew this trip was more about the overall experience but especially our second and fourth games helped me soccer-wise. They were against slightly higher level teams. I didn't expect to have those kinds of learning experiences on the field."

Her favorite excursion was seeing Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. It was one of the new seven wonders of the world and is located atop Corcovado Mountain. The statue is 98 feet tall and its outstretched arms span 92 feet. It is 124 feet tall and is one of Rio's most popular tourist attractions.

"I truly did not realize how big it is," Mann said. "So much was going on. Services were going on, people were proposing (marriage). You could tell what an impact it had not just on Brazilians but people around the world."

She was also pleasantly surprised by the Brazilian food.

"The fruit was some of the best I have ever had in my life. I didn't realize how much the Brazilian culture enjoyed steak, potatoes and cheese. Those were the main foods," she said. "And the acai was amazing."

Acai berries grow in the rainforests of Brazil and form the key ingredient in the sweet, fruity, and flavor-packed dessert.

"It is kind of like soft serve ice cream but way healthier. It might have fruit, peanut butter, granola (banana and other fresh fruits are also sometimes added)," she said. "I had heard of it but never had it fresh like that. It was so good."

Now Mann is starting her workouts to be ready for preseason practice in August. She's playing on a summer team in northern Kentucky.

"We think this could be a really special season coming up for us, so I want to make sure I am ready," she said.