The Connecticut Sun's rookies got their first taste of WNBA action on Wednesday night, and the experience came with a few surprises—starting with the jump ball rule.

In a preseason opener against the Toronto Tempo, rookie center Raegan Beers quickly learned that the pros play by different rules than college. The two-time All-SEC first-team selection from Oklahoma admitted she had a moment of confusion when the first jump ball was called.

"I forgot on a jump ball that you actually do the jump. The first time it happened I was like, 'Why are they all walking to the center?'" Beers laughed. "Obviously it's a very big learning curve. I've watched the W for a couple years, so I knew the rules, but experiencing them for the first time was definitely something different."

Beers was one of four Sun rookies making their WNBA debuts in the 83-78 win over Toronto, and the young squad held their own despite the inevitable jitters. Second-round pick Charlisse Leger-Walker was a standout, putting up eight points, a team-high four assists, plus a steal and a block. She said the physicality of the pro game wasn't as overwhelming as she had braced for.

"Honestly, it was probably not as physical as I expected," Leger-Walker joked. "I went in with such a mindset of 'I'm gonna come out with bruises, maybe a slight concussion.' But it wasn't as bad as I thought. The preparation I've had coming in really helped."

The matchup against Toronto was a fitting first test for the rookies, as the Tempo are also a young team building their foundation as an expansion franchise. But the level of competition jumps significantly on Sunday, when the Sun face the New York Liberty in their preseason home opener.

For Beers, Leger-Walker, and the rest of Connecticut's rookie class, the lessons from Wednesday night will be crucial as they prepare for a Liberty squad loaded with veteran talent. The jump ball rule might be muscle memory now, but the real learning curve is just beginning.