The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542201
36 ■ THE WOLFPACKER I think the summer built that up for me. That was great." Trygger isn't afraid of anyone in the post. Her confidence is through the roof, and it's shown up when she works around the paint, battling whoever ends up on the other side of the matchup with a self- belief that she can do what she wants on the glass or at the rim. She knows she can hang with anyone on the court. Her summer was critical in reinforcing that belief, and her NC State teammates have done their part, too. "My confidence goes up and down ev- ery day. But overall, from last year to this year, I think it's a big difference," Tryg- ger said. "Coming in as a freshman, you have nothing to lose. Now, when you have a bigger role, and it's more pressure. You've got to work on being confident. Coach [Wes] Moore and my teammates have confidence in me, and that helps a lot coming in every day." An Increased Role NC State eased Trygger into the college game a year ago. She came off the bench for her first 11 appearances, playing more than 15 minutes just three times over that stretch. But when the Wolfpack found itself in need of a more athletic forward to bolster its frontcourt, Trygger was in- serted to the starting lineup for each of the final 23 games of the season on a team that won 19 of those contests. This season, Trygger returned to cam- pus knowing she would have an increased role. She solidified herself as the team's top center, which meant that more min- utes and production would be required of her. Although she was fine with earn- ing everything as a freshman, her second season at the collegiate level was going to require more from Trygger out of ne- cessity after the team graduated its star guard trio of Aziaha James, Madison Hayes and Saniya Rivers. "My role is a lot bigger than it was last year because we need people to step up," she said. "I think all of us on the team are doing a great job, but I think that's the biggest difference for me this year. I'm still doing my thing basketball-wise. I'm going to be the player I am, but [in terms of] my role and leadership, it's very dif- ferent and something I'm trying to work on." Despite being only a second-year player, Trygger has become an integral leader for the Wolfpack. Unlike last sea- son when James and Rivers assumed most of those responsibilities, NC State's senior-free roster this year has required all the returning players to be more vocal. Trygger has done so both on the court and in press conferences. She and the rest of her teammates try to hold each other accountable. It's a new experience for Trygger, but her time leading the U20 Swedish team is paying off now. "Being a leader brings a lot of pres- sure, of course, but what I'm trying to focus on is being consistent," she said. "That's harder than you think. Just com- ing in every day and being consistent is something we're working on." Trygger has looked to be consistent both with her play and her leadership style. She averaged 11.5 points and 7.9 re- bounds through the team's first 12 games, proving her level playing style is effective, with at least 6 rebounds in nine of those appearances. The biggest key for Trygger is embrac- ing her responsibilities on and off the court. She's been able to do that while taking a leadership position within the team this season. No matter the case, she's always going to have fun. She puts her personality on the floor each time she hits the court. "I'm always going to be me. I'm trying to be positive," Trygger said. "I feel like NC State is a great place where they al- low us to be who we are and bring out our personalities." ■ Trygger made an impact as a true freshman last season. After coming off the bench in NC State's first 11 games, she started the last 23, helping solidify the frontcourt on a Wolfpack team that reached the Sweet 16. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS