By: RJ Layton, Media Relations Student Assistant
During her freshman campaign, current sophomore Jordan Frericks played in all 31 games, averaging 7.6 points and 6.9 rebounds. After the departure of senior forward and team-leading scorer Bri Kulas, Frericks knew she had to step up and make a significant impact on the 2014-15 Mizzou women's basketball squad.
Frericks spent an entire summer relentlessly working to improve her on-court skills to fulfill those new expectations. Meanwhile, she decided it was vital for her success to get in the weight room and get stronger to try and match the SEC's physical variety of post players.
"Obviously I've had a year under my belt and confidence has been huge for me," Frericks said. "I know that my teammates believe in me and I know that they can count on me even more. We trust each other."
The perseverance and hard work has paid off early on in the 2014-15 season for Frericks. She is dominating opponents physically, almost averaging a double-double with 12.9 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per outing. Most of her improvements have come as a result from a fresh outlook on the game defined by hustle.
Among her contributions in all facets of the game, the most notable is Frericks' persistent effort on the offensive glass. Forty-three percent of her 180 total rebounds have come on the offensive end. Frericks ranks second in the SEC for her rebounding totals this season, both overall and offensively.
"I think the key to offensive rebounding is having the mentality that no matter what, you have the ability to go get the board," Frericks said. "You can't take any possessions off. If our shots aren't going in, we count on me to get that extra possession. I think that's big to get our team another shot to score the ball."
The Tigers quick start to the season has not come without adversity. Three players, Lianna Doty, Kayla McDowell and Bri Porter, have suffered season-ending injuries. Yet, head coach Robin Pingeton's squad continues to fight on behind the leadership of its returning veterans, including Frericks. The 6-foot-1 sophomore understands she will have to carry a bigger load. She says while she isn't known for being a vocal player on the court, she can lead her teammates by example.
"I'm not the most outgoing person," Frericks said. "If I can show how things should be done through my actions, that's big. Everyone has to step up. It's not just me. We all have the mentality to keep doing what we're doing no matter who is on the floor."
With that approach, Frericks plans on the team maintaining its success heading into the conference portion of its schedule. For her personally, she doesn't define specific goals. Instead, she has simpler outlook to help maximize her team's potential. "I'm here to do whatever my coaches and teammates want me to do," Frericks said. "Whatever I can to do to help my team, I'll do.
Off the court, Frericks is studying architecture and after graduating from college, she wants to use her degree to design homes for a living.