March 22, 2009

SEATTLE, Wash. - At a mere 6-foot, she describes herself as "big."

Her coaches and teammates would undoubtedly use the same adjective.

Big smile. Big heart. Big personality.

Vivian Frieson says her big heart is what will get her through the NCAA Tournament. And her big personality will get her team through it.

"I would like to say I kind of keep the atmosphere light," said Frieson, a junior forward on the Gonzaga women's basketball team. "I'm quick witted - at least that's what the rumors are."

Frieson admits she can get caught up in the heat of the game, but that's when her teammates use her humor against her - or for her.

"I'm a pretty passionate player, so sometimes I can get really serious," she said, "but the team knows I'm a pretty lighthearted person so they know they can come back at me with a joke."

Not only is Frieson quick-witted, but she is also quick-footed. It's a tact she used well against a towering Xavier team in the first round of the NCAAs.

"I think one thing that most people who are tall don't have is my speed and quickness," Frieson said. "[It takes] a lot of hustle and skill, and I would say it takes some heart to be in there with those big girls, a lot of heart.

"Their elbows all happen to be right at forehead level."

Besides the advantage of her speed, Frieson is happy to be at home for the NCAA Tournament. Frieson, who is from Seattle and went to Garfield High School, was excited to see familiar faces in the crowd.

"It's an amazing feeling," she said. "I love being in Seattle. The atmosphere is great."

She doesn't make it home often, but she squeezes in a few days here and there throughout a normal season.

"After the WCC tournament I got to come home for spring break for four days," Frieson said. "Before that, I came home for Christmas for a good three days ... other than that, [I come back] every two months or so. It's good to be back here."

Even though Frieson doesn't make it back to the west side of the state often, she manages to maintain her upbeat spirit, surrounding herself with her extended family.

"I love [Spokane], the people, everyone I work with at school and my teammates," she said. "It's like one big family and if you need help with anything, you know someone will be there for you."

It works both ways. Frieson's big heart and big personality are constantly working overtime. Some big plays from the junior forward ushered the Zags to their first NCAA tournament win in school history. And as for her big smile, that will continue to encourage teammates, coaches and her home crowd, not to mention any stranger who crosses paths with Frieson down the road.