She began the season just hoping to get some playing time. Now, she's considered one of the top players in the Big 12 conference.

As a freshman for the Lady Raiders of Texas Tech, Plenette Pierson quickly established herself as an integral team member. Starting every game of her inaugural season, this 6'1" forward/center helped her team post a 25-4 regular-season record, was second on the team in scoring average, and capped the season by being named the Big 12 Conference's freshman of the year. But this is nothing new for Pierson, whose high school distinctions are no less impressive.

As a player at Kingwood (Tx.) High School, Pierson and her team took two district championships. As a senior, she was a WBCA All-American, averaging 20 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game, and lead her team to a 31-5 record.

Pierson talked to Gball about what it's like to be a freshman starter in college, the experience of playing before a stadium of 10,000 fans, and how her game has improved this year.

Gball: You have started every game this year for Texas Tech. Did you ever think you would get this much playing time as a freshman?
Pierson: No, I never thought that. I just thought that I would come in, practice hard, let the coaches see what I could do, and maybe if I didn't play this year I'd play next year.

Has it been overwhelming to come in and start right away?
It's been very overwhelming but, you know, that's a challenge that I'm willing to step up to--to get out there and play my game, play my hardest, and help the team.

With the other starters being juniors and seniors, do you look to them for advice during games?
Very much so. I look to them for advice during the game and during practice. I look to them for advice all the time, especially when they play the same position I do.

Why did you decide to go to Texas Tech?
Mostly because of the coaching staff and the tradition they have here--also because of the experience they have in the NCAA Tournament and other tournaments. It just seemed like the best place for me to go. I followed them all through high school.

What aspect did you find most appealing?
The way Coach Sharp treats her players. When they're on the floor with her and after their college career is over, she treats them like family. And they can always come back to her and ask for anything, and she'll help them out.

One of your high school teammates, Courtney Pastner, also signed on with Texas Tech. Did you always talk about playing together in college?
No. I don't think we really ever talked about playing together in college. It was just a coincidence, but I think it's pretty good that we came to college together--so that we both had somebody to talk to who we knew before we came to college. I think it made the transition a little easier.

In high school, Courtney seemed to grab as many postseason honors as you, and now, in college, she isn't getting much playing time. What has changed this year?
I don't think there's really much of a difference. I think we both have our same game, it's just that Courtney has somebody else to play behind who's a senior and basically my spot was just open up for grabs. Hers wasn't.

Is there anything you did during the offseason to improve your game?
I just really got out there and worked hard, asked the coaches for advice on what I needed to do, and went out there and did it. I think I strengthened my defense a lot this year. I just basically watched Keitha [Dickerson, a senior forward at Texas Tech], and played against her every day in practice. It helps me out. If I am able to guard her then I can guard other people in games.

How was the transition from high school ball to college ball?
It was fairly easy in some aspects, but in others it was hard. [The big difference is] in high school you might have one or two stars on the team, but in college everybody is a star. Everybody is going to work hard, get out there, and play.

What about practice schedules?
In high school, I played basketball all year round. It seemed like my AAU team always had practice, it didn't matter how long we went, and it was always hard. So that wasn't a big transition for me.

At home games, the crowd is usually over 10,000. Has that been fun or overwhelming?
It's been awesome for me. When I first walked out there I didn't realize how many fans actually come to the games, but it's great to have all our fans out there and cheering for us because it helps us a lot. I did have to refocus myself, though, and just tell myself to not pay attention to the crowd--don't worry about the crowds and play my game.

What is it like to play for Marsha Sharp?
It's a great experience for me, knowing that she's a coach of that caliber and knowing that I can actually come in and start. She treats me like I'm a family member and I really like her.

You list your role model as your mother. What has been special about your relationship with her?
Well, my mom is a single mother with two kids. She put me in every sport I wanted to be in, constantly supported me, and went to every game. She hasn't missed a game [until lately]. But it's just good to have my mom to support me in everything I do and help me out.

What are your career goals? Do you hope to play in the WNBA?
That is a big plan for me, but you know if that doesn't happen for me I want to major in sports marketing, or something pertaining to sports, and get a minor in communications.

With Sheryl Swoopes being a Texas Tech hero, is she talked about a lot?
Not really. I mean we all know that she's a Texas Tech hero, that she went to the WNBA. It's pretty much well known but nobody really talks about it a lot. She comes by. She comes to the games. You know, she's still a Texas Tech member.

What has been the best part of your first year at Texas Tech?
I'd say just being able to play and be under Coach Sharp's [leadership]--to be able to listen to her advice.

What has been the worst or most challenging?
My defensive game was just really not that good to begin with, and I'm slowly improving. And I think that was the toughest part for me. Girls were pinning me down low and basically moving me around with no effort.

How did you like playing in your first Big 12 conference tournament this year?
It was great. It's a lot harder than conference because everybody has already seen you and everybody knows what you're going to do. And they just go out there and play harder because if you've beat them they want revenge.

Is there any advice you'd like to offer to young players who aspire to play at the collegiate level?
I'd just tell them they need to work hard and stay at what they're doing, and in time their game will change and they'll get up there and be able to be a college athlete.

Interview conducted in March by Gball Assistant Editor Shelly Wilson.