Washington vs. Ohio State
December 08, 2006 | Volleyball
Dec. 8, 2006
Postgame Quotes
Washington Coach Jim McLaughlin
Washington vs. Ohio State
December 8, 2006
General Comments:
"I thought that we played really well. Ohio State is a really good team and we had to play well against them. I thought that Courtney did a great job moving the ball around keeping everyone involved. It was pretty hard to get a beat on what we were doing. Our hitters did a good job staying in rhythm and putting the ball away. It was a good match for us."On if this was the best game the team has played all season: "It was a good game, we came in with a good vibe and we kept the vide and we just operated at a good rate."
On using the bench: "I have a long leash, at this point in the game you have to know what direction you are going to go and go. You have your subs that come in and you have your rotation, kind of like the NBA in the playoffs. We just know how we want to operate and go, but we have a plan B in case."
On serving to Ohio State's libero: "We went at her and we studied her. In the person serve receive, there is a good chance if you serve tough you can get them in trouble. We just said that we were going to go at her and go at her, when 7 was in the front row we went at the seem. We wanted to see if 7 would come over and take her out of the powder. Our girls were good serving, and they had good pace on the ball, they weren't chickens they were going for it."
On the best attendance for a volleyball match in school history:"It was awesome, we kept on hearing updates and I kept telling the team to not talk about it. It is going to be an exciting thing for any volleyball player to play in that environment. It is good for our country and our area."
On the team keeping their composure: "Once you go, you go. We talk about composure all of the time, on the road you have to have great composure to hit the ball in and do the things to stay on task. We showed very good composure tonight."
On getting the ball into the middle: "Our distribution is based a little bit on probability and percentages. They were giving us the quick, we were one on one every time, so we were like lets go until they change and we went over head. Courtney did the right thing, the tough thing is when your distribution is even with a little emphasis, it is hard to get on it and track it. Courtney did a good job tonight with the game plan, just stayed on it."
On if Ohio State was overwhelmed: "I don't know, when we watched them on tape they could do some things and they were physical. Number 6 is the best left hitter in the country. We had to really stay on her and not let her get out of control. I thought that we did a good job allowing her to only hit 39% on us. 13, that kid from France is a good player, so we had to know where she was at all times. Maybe we play a little bit faster but I don't know if we are bigger."
On a balanced attack: "I think that they just understand their responcibilities, they are accountable. They know their assignments and you just have to be connected intellectually. You have to be mindful in this process and stay on task. You can get distracted by many things, and you can't if you want to be any good. There was a lot of activity, Stevie was herself talking a lot. We were in good spots at good times and we were focused on the things that tell us what to do, and that is the challenge. That is what wins championships. We were in good spots at good times, that tells me they are on it."
On Shantell's performance: "She was awesome. My favorite shot was we called a time out and we hit the ball to her. She hit over the blockers and into the corner which is the appropriate shot. We have a drill that requires that shot and we have been working on it and she did what she did in practice, it was a good deal. That kid keeps on getting better and better, that kid is an amazing match."
On the Penn State match: "I can't criss-cross. I just have to stay on Ohio State and their tendancies. We as coaches watch the film but you don't want to get mixed numbers and my brain can not handle that. They have two great outside hitters, they have an opposite that is very good."
