Brenda Frese and her Maryland Terrapins met the media.
COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Maryland Terrrapins women’s basketball team hosted their media day Thursday afternoon. Here’s what you should know:
Blair Watson has returned
Last season, right before the Michigan State game, we learned that then-sophomore Blair Watson would be out for the season due to a torn ACL. The Terps lost their second best shooter and best three-point shooter — doom was predicted. However, the team prevailed without her, making it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Still, without the defense of Watson and her ability to shoot the three ball, the Terps were not their usual selves and it was clear who the missing piece was. Now that Watson is back, the Terps have their shooter back and a huge part of their defense back. Watson was cleared last Wednesday so be on the lookout for this hot tamale of a player.
Brianna Fraser is their only senior
Like former Maryland senior Kristen Confroy, Brianna Fraser is now filling her shoes as the only senior on the squad. Confroy was a guard, so the biggest difference in leadership will be the position played. Nonetheless, Fraser has a great opportunity to show the team and Frese that she can be the leader, even though she is the lone senior.
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“Everyone has a leadership role, but, being able to voice my opinion and have them listen to me is great,” Fraser told High Post Hoops.
Sara Vujacic
Incoming junior transfer Sara Vujacic will be eligible to play this season as a JUCO transfer, and that should impact Maryland right away.
Vujacic can play some perimeter defense and help with filling the role of Blair Watson as she recovers from her injury. The Vujacic name may sound familiar — Sara is the sister of former NBA player Sasha Vujacic.
Vujacic talked about how her brother has helped her prepare for this sesaon. “Mostly giving me advice on what to do especially coming to America, he’s been here for a while,” Vujacic told High Post Hoops. “He tells me what the what I can do and what I can do, so it means a lot to get tips from him.”
Vujacic won’t be given as much responsibility as Kaila Charles, who will be the first scoring option, but being able to adjust to a team that plays well will help her adapt and be a better player.
Chemistry
Just from being at media day, it was clearly evident that this team has a great and strong chemistry with one another. Head coach Brenda Frese seconded this.
“The thing that separates this team is their bond,” Frese told High Post Hoops. “Their chemistry is stronger than any team I’ve seen in a long time.”
Chemistry plays a huge role in how a team plays, as Frese knows from her 17 years at the helm. Teammates that can trust each other can play even better together and in the end, make them pretty unstoppable.
That has been a hallmark of the Terps since joining the Big Ten conference. But this team has bigger goals in mind — including the program’s first national championship since 2006.