AMES – Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly knew early in Denae Fritz’s college career that the guard was tough and willing to play through pain. So when Fritz came to the staff last season complaining about an injured shin, he knew something was seriously wrong.
“Her pain threshold is ridiculously high compared to most kids that we’ve ever had,” Fennelly said.
Enough was enough. Fritz, who had become a key contributor for the Cyclones during her first season, was shut down for the remainder of the campaign. She appeared in just three non-conference games the entire season.
“It was hard for me just because I wanted to be out there and I wanted to help them,” Fritz said.
The 5-foot-11 redshirt freshman has started all 10 games this season for the 14th-ranked Cyclones, who open Big 12 play when they play at Texas Tech on Saturday at 2 p.m. She averages 7.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity this year that I’m able to play in conference,” Fritz said.
The Maryville, Tenn., native was a star in high school, tallying more than 2,000 career points and 1,100 rebounds. Fritz averaged 21.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game as a junior.
What makes those numbers even more impressive is the pain she was dealing with. The shin problems in her right leg started in high school.
“I would say I probably had a stress fracture all through high school, at least a couple of years,” Fritz said.
But Fritz kept playing, ignoring the pain. That didn’t change even when she got to Iowa State and earned a starting spot in two of her first three games. Fritz played through the pain and played well. The highlight came when she scored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting in a road win at Drake.
But the pain had gotten so bad that Fritz decided to finally speak up.
“Her freshman year ended that day,” Fennelly said.
It was difficult for Fritz to sit and watch as the Cyclones racked up single-season school records for overall and league victories and reached the Sweet 16.
“I wanted to be out there,” Fritz said.
Instead, Fritz had to watch and wait while she rehabbed the injury and did exercises to strengthen her shin. Fennelly said they were cautious with the leg and limited how much Fritz did with the team during the summer.
So when the season started in November, there was some rust to shake off. Fritz hadn’t played in a game in nearly a year and struggled early on. But as the season has progressed, she’s gotten into more of a rhythm. During Iowa State’s win over Villanova on Dec. 18, Fritz scored a career-high 13 points on 3-of-3 shooting from 3-point range.
“I feel like that just gives me an extra boost of confidence going into conference play here,” Fritz said.
With most of the attention being on Iowa State’s other starters (Ashley Joens, Stephanie Soares, Lexi Donarski and Emily Ryan), Fritz could be unexpected problem for opponents.
“She’s a big piece of what this team could become and she knows it — we all know it,” Fennelly said. “I love the progress that she’s made.”
Fennelly said Fritz has a unique skillset.
“She’ll go rebound, I think she’s strong to the basket, she’s a willing defender and she gives us some versatility at both ends of the floor,” he said.
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.
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