Tyler Frierson | Photo by Erin Pence
Tyler Frierson is going into her senior season on the Wright State University (WSU) women’s basketball team and is excited to play again after the coronavirus restrictions.
The 6-foot-4 center was named to the Horizon League All-Defensive Team last season after averaging 7.9 points per game, 9 rebounds per game and totaling 41 blocks on the year.
The WSU basketball team received their conference schedule and Frierson is eager to get the season underway.
“The schedule is different, but we get to play and that’s the main thing. Our season could have been postponed until January…so I’m just excited,” said Frierson.
Why WSU?
Frierson is from Long Beach, CA and her senior year of high school she was the ninth best rebounder in the state of California. She always knew she wanted to go to college out of state, and when she came to WSU, she knew it was the right school for her
“When I did my visit here, I just fell in love. The family atmosphere is like the same as if I was still at home. It reminded me so much of home,” said Frierson
Frierson and Head Coach Katrina Merriweather have a great relationship, and she has helped Frierson with the transition of being so far from home.
Building chemistry within the team
Due to team facilities being closed throughout the offseason, building camaraderie within the team was different compared to prior seasons.
“Not being able to do the little team activities that we would normally do and the team bonding stuff changed a lot, but we still found a way to do it by following the protocols and social distancing,” said Frierson.
Frierson is a leader on the team and she is looking to continue developing as a leader considering this is her final season with the team.
“I want to be more of a leader on the court and off the court as well, with this being my last year I have a senior urgency and that has shown a lot,” said Frierson.
Expectations for the season
“We have a lot of talent coming back and coming in and we’re going to be playing at a faster pace, and it’s going to be a really talented team,” said Frierson.
Last season the basketball team finished 19-12 and lost in the quarterfinals of the Horizon League Tournament. They are looking to bounce back this season and Frierson has big aspirations for this team.
“Oh, we can go far, no not we ‘can’, we are going to go far…the goal is always to win another ring and get to that point and I really feel like with this team our goal is the same,” said Frierson.
