by Ryan Marcus
Sports Reporter
Even though the season is still one month away, basketball is back at Texas State. The women’s, as well as the men’s, basketball team had media day today to help build anticipation for the upcoming season.
Coach Zenarae Antoine took the podium first recalling how at the last media days she was pregnant, now she has an 11-month-old son. Antoine expressed how excited she was for the upcoming season, and how she knew this team had a lot to look forward to. “This is the most versatile team I’ve ever had,” Coach Antoine said. With a tough out of conference schedule that includes top-25 teams like Texas A&M and a matchup with Duke in an international tournament, she’s definitely going to need a talented team.
Even though senior leader Erica Peoples is out for the season, there are pieces returning from injury that the Bobcats were missing last year. Ti’Aira Pitts is back from an ACL tear, and so is redshirt Sophomore Guard Kaitlin Walla who took the podium second.
Walla said that her and Pitts became “rehab buddies” last year and they helped push each other through the same injury. Kaitlin Walla put it simply when she was asked how it felt to be back, “I’m just ready to ball.” She stated that she was “all smiles” at the first practice because she was so happy to be back. Her teammates even gave her weird looks.
Next at the podium was senior Point Guard Ayriel Anderson. As the only senior that has been with the team for a few years she said she felt a lot of pressure to step up in People’s absence. “I have to be her times ten this season,” Anderson said.
One of the players who Anderson will be playing with this season is sophomore shooting guard Taeler Deer, who emerged as a dark horse scoring option last year. Anderson had a big grin when she was asked about playing with Deer, and all she could say was, “I’m excited.”
The women’s basketball season tips-off Friday, November 13th in College Station against Texas A&M. Their home opener is two days later on the 15th against St. Edward’s.
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