AI Peppers’ Taylor Fricano: A Season of Growth and Unfinished Business

By Zhang Jiuzhou (Julius)

After a challenging yet rewarding season, AI Peppers’ star foreign player Taylor Fricano has returned to her home in Switzerland for the off-season break. Despite not being selected at the start of the season due to an injury, Fricano joined the team mid-season as a replacement and quickly became a new icon in the city of Gwangju. On the court, she led her teammates to fight for victories, while off the court, she showered her fans with affection, even delaying the team bus to fulfill fan requests. As a foreign player who has worked hard and thrived in Gwangju, Fricano is undoubtedly someone worth getting to know better.

Although the team aimed for a playoff spot and even held mid-table standings at one point, the AI Peppers ultimately ended the 2024–2025 season at the bottom of the rankings, continuing their unfortunate streak starting from their formation. Reflecting on the season, Fricano remarked, “I could have adapted to the Korean League faster and performed better. But it was still an amazing season, and we made significant progress. Sometimes, in crucial moments, we got too nervous and missed opportunities. But we are still a young team, and there’s a long way to go.”

Having played in multiple countries throughout her career, this was Fricano’s first experience competing in Asia. “The volleyball style in Korea is very different from what I’m used to in the United States,” she explained. “The coach emphasizes different things on the court. And with the language barrier, it was challenging to build quick chemistry with my teammates. But it was a truly interesting experience, one I will cherish.”

On the court, Fricano was a constant source of encouragement, always keeping her teammates’ spirits high. “Even when we struggle and give up points, I hope the girls can forget those mistakes and focus on the next play,” she said confidently.

Fricano had initially entered the KOVO foreign draft before the season but went unselected due to her knee injury. However, fate brought her to the AI Peppers mid-season as an emergency replacement. “I actually entered the KOVO draft back in 2023 but didn’t get picked. Then, in January last year, Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders contacted me, but my team at the time wouldn’t release me. I entered the draft again this season, but I was still recovering from knee treatment and couldn’t perform at my best. But when the Peppers called me up mid-season, I knew it was meant to be,” she recounted.

After completing the necessary paperwork, Fricano made her debut for the AI Peppers merely ten days after arriving in Korea. Though she struggled initially, she gradually found her rhythm, becoming a reliable scorer for the team. Her breakthrough came on January 9 against IBK, where she secured a triple crown achievement. “I was really nervous when I first came here. I wanted to show the best version of myself for Gwangju and this team. Hard work always pays off, and while personal achievements are nice, I care more about the team winning,” she said.

The Korean volleyball season is short – just under six months – but the bond Fricano formed with her teammates will last far longer. “I can’t pick just one player who left the biggest impression on me. I had great relationships with everyone. I still keep in touch with them. The setters really helped me a lot on the court. Lee Han-bi was always encouraging everyone to shake off mistakes and move forward. And our young star Yeum Orkhon is just 20, but she has tremendous potential. Zhang Yu and I were the two foreign players, and we spent a lot of time together off the court. I really miss them,” she shared.

This season was also Chang So-yun’s first as head coach of the Peppers. Despite her rookie status, Coach Chang brought new energy to the team. “I’m really glad our coach is a female. She fought in this league for over 20 years as a player, so she knows exactly what we need to do. She brought a great atmosphere to the team – not just on the court but off it too,” Fricano remarked.

Fricano’s bright and cheerful personality made her a popular figure among fans and even players from other teams. Her friendly nature led to her being nicknamed the “President of the Foreign Players Association.” When asked about the moniker, Fricano laughed, “I’m happy to see so many foreign players playing in Korea. I know that living in another country can be tough sometimes, so if my greetings can help them feel a little more at home, I’m happy to do it.”

Fricano’s journey in sports began with basketball at the age of six before transitioning to volleyball at 12 under a coach’s recommendation. By 16, she had decided to pursue volleyball as a career. As for her role models, she admires Betania de la Cruz for maintaining high performance even after becoming a mother. Among Korean players, she’s impressed by Jeong Yun-ju of the Pink Spiders, even though she acknowledges Kim Yeon-koung’s legendary status.

When asked about her regrets during her time in Korea, Fricano was quick to mention the team’s struggles. “We had so many matches that went to the fifth set. If we had won even half of those, I think we would have been much closer to our playoff goal. Injuries also hit us hard, but even so, we still achieved some great things,” she reflected.

Personally, Fricano regrets not being able to say goodbye to the fans after the final game. “I got pulled for a drug test right after the match and missed the chance to say goodbye to everyone. I cried so much because of it.”

The AI Peppers are a young team that has finished at the bottom of the league since its inception. Yet, fans have seen their progress each year. Fricano remains optimistic: “The players need firm belief. While there’s still a big gap between us and the strong teams, success comes step by step. Every small achievement is something to be proud of. We shouldn’t always focus on how far behind we are; we should look at how far we’ve come.”

As for her future, Fricano is leaving it to fate. “I don’t think my story in Korea is over yet. I entered the KOVO draft again, but maybe I won’t get picked. Or maybe a team will call me mid-season. Maybe I’ll go play in another country. But I’d love to stay in Korea. I love the bibimbap, tteokbokki, bungeo-ppang, and sundubu. I really miss those foods,” she laughed. “Anything is possible. Let’s wait and see.”

Recent reports confirm that Fricano did not participate in the KOVO foreign draft held in Istanbul in early May, meaning she will not be part of any Korean team at the start of the next season. However, with three months to go before the new season begins, the door remains open for Taylor Fricano’s Korean journey to continue.

Photograph courtesy of Taylor Fricano.