NCAA Press Conference

Press Conference #4 ? Washington ? Dec. 13? Qwest Center Omaha
Head Coach: Jim McLaughlin
Student Athletes: Tamari Miyashiro, Christal Morrison, Courtney Thompson

Head Coach Jim McLaughlin
Opening Statement
This is an awesome building, an awesome feeling being in here. The court looks good and I hope my team looks good in practice today. We had a good week of practice last week. Things look good, I like the way they are behaving. We are passing the ball well, serving the ball well and we hitting the ball in, so I think we are ready to go.

On Stanford’s incoming class and their depth.
They’re always good, but I don’t believe initial ability has anything to do with final ability, that is what happens while you’re at a university ... I’m more concerned about our program and just developing people.

On the effect of being in previous final fours
We’ve been in the environment, we know how to handle distractions. When you first get here you are wide-eyed, you can’t help it. As you mature, you learn how to focus on the things you can control and don’t worry about the things you can’t control.

On the atmosphere in Omaha
It’s going to be unbelievable, just the opportunity to play in front of 17,000 people. The excitement, the vibe it almost perfect. Then you have to play almost perfect to win this thing.

On the atmosphere of Nebraska in relation to his experience with the Big 12
I’m a pretty simple guy, volleyball is volleyball, whether you are playing in front of two people or 17,000, you just got to do the things you need to do. But the Big 12 is a great conference, going to Lincoln, going to Texas it was awesome. But playing in the Pac-10, going to UCLA, going to USC is awesome.

Freshman Libero Tamari Miyashiro
On the difference between the two matches this season with Stanford
In two different matches, we were focussed on different things. The team that focusses longer will be more successful. We need to work on that and be more focused.

Junior Outside Hitter Christal Morrison
On the rivalry with Stanford
It’s a fun rivalry, because they are such a great team and you know that every time you match up against them it is going to be a good match.

Comparing the final four in Omaha to last season in San Antonio
I heard there are going to be huge crowds and that just gets me more excited. Having been to the final four before, I definitely think that is an advantage, because you are prepared.

Senior Setter Courtney Thompson
On three Pac-10 making the national semifinals
There are so many great players in the Pac-10, that there is a lot of respect going both ways. They’re our conference, so you want to cheer for them pre-season and post-season, unless you are playing them. We were excited to see three Pac-10 teams make it to the final four.

Press Conference #3 ? UCLA ? Dec. 13 ? Qwest Center Omaha
Head Coach: Andy Banachowski
Student Athletes: Nellie Spicer, Katie Carter

Head Coach Andy Banachowski
Opening Statement
"As nice as it was to be in Hawai’i last week, it’s even nicer to be here in Omaha. We’ve had a very successful season. The team has come together well as we have progressed from the preseason to Pac-10 competition, and has been playing extremely well throughout the tournament. We have an experienced group, due to the fact that we graduated only one senior last year. This year’s edition is not only more experienced, but also has a little bit more depth that previous teams. We also have Colby Lyman back healthy this year which is a blessing for us and her."

On his team:
"I think getting to the championship round is something you always plan for, but there are so many things that have to go right to get here. I thought this group had to potential to be special, as we progressed through the spring, our off-season training, our pre-season, I really saw this team grow quite a bit. I always believe we can compete with anybody and as we went through this season, I became a tremendous believer of these kids and compete for a national championship.

On Nana Meriwether:
"Lana has certainty had a tremendous year. Her recovery from shoulder surgery and her recovery from that, coupling with her pre-season, really gave me a thought that we could make a run this year and there is no question that when Lana is out there on the court everybody feels her presence. We are thrilled that she is having such a great year.

On Nebraska hosting and the similar feelings:
"We hosted and won in 1984 and 1991 and it’s a great experience to play in front of your home fans, but there is some added pressure too, and I think that in 1981 when we lost the championship playing at home, as rewarding the other experiences are, that was a painful experience."

On the atmosphere:
"I think it’s going to give a tremendous boost to the sport, playing in front of a full house. TV will certainly capture the excitement of an arena packed with so many fans out there. Consequently, we are going to be able to garner a lot of attention this weekend with the tournament.

On Nebraska
"They are running a different system then last year, but we run against 5-1 systems all year, it’s the most common, and that’s what we are doing. We don’t have all of the horses out there that Nebraska does and maybe we are a little bit different style. But, I think our team this year has been able to adapt well to the things we see during a match, and we’ve been pretty successful. I don’t think it’s a huge factor, them being in a 5-1 this year, as opposed to a 6-2 last year.

I think Nebraska is a very powerful, attacking team with Larson and Pavan, and their middles are also very quick. Their strengths has always been their hitting and blocking. Certainly, it’s a characteristic of this year’s team, and I think they are much improved in a lot of other areas also."

Senior Outside Katie Carter
On Omaha
"I think we are going to do great with the crowd. We seem to be much more comfortable in front of a big crowd, and we are coming off a weekend in which we saw 9,000 people in Hawai’i. We also was here a year ago (for the regional rounds) and that was good for us as well since we know what to expect.

On playing in front of a sell-out crowd at the Qwest Center:
"The atmosphere is a little intimidating, but very, very exciting. Nebraska has done a lot for the sport of volleyball, and we’re very excited to be playing here. Playing in Nebraska last season was a crazy experience, the last time I’ve felt that was when we played at Hawai’i, in front of 10,000 people and Nebraska far surpassed that. Being one of those of those teams that could be part of something so great is very, very exciting. I wanted so badly for the rest of my team to experience something this great. I wanted to give credit to all of the younger players that have worked so hard to get us here."

Sophomore S Nellie Spicer
On the experience in Omaha:
"I think it’s been a great experience. Everyone has been nice to us and telling us good luck. It’s a huge deal here and everyone is talking about it where in L.A. Everyone is doing so many other things to where it wouldn’t get much more attention, so it’s definitely fun.

2006 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship

Press Conference #2 ? Nebraska ? Dec. 13? Qwest Center Omaha

Head Coach: John Cook
Student Athletes: Dani Busboom, Jordan Larson, Dani Mancuso, Rachel Schwartz

Head Coach John Cook
Opening Statement and on playing in Omaha, Nebraska
We are checking to find out if our 10 a.m. practice was an all-time Nebraska record for attendance at a practice. The hardest thing today was everytime there was a good rally, we would get an ovation, it’s hard to ignore that. But once we got going it was a fun practice.

On the four players at the podium all coming from Nebraska
Nebraska volleyball has been built on finding athletes from the state ... the girls come from small towns so they are involved in everything. Our players are great athletes, we’ve done a great job of training them and its been the model for success at Nebraska

On the impact of this weekend on Women’s Volleyball.
This certainly raises the bar on what volleyball can be. We are just very fortunate and proud that Omaha and the state of Nebraska has supported this and sold it out. This is a major statement for the support and hopefully it will provide a major lift and raise the bar for the next place that hosts the final four.

On getting to the final four and the additional pressure of it being in Nebraska
If we hadn’t been living with this for the past year, it would be a shock to our system. We have been mentally preparing for this all season. I’m very proud of our team and our staff, it feels very good to be here and we are all just soaking it in.

On UCLA and preparing for the semi-final match
I think neutralizing Meriweather is a key, but I think we can prepare as well as any team in the country. We’ve done a great job of preparing, that might have been one of the easier things this week, since we didn’t have to travel we probably got some more time to prepare. The thing is, UCLA is a very balanced team, they are not a team that is going to give up points, we are going to have to earn points.

Junior Libero Dani Busboom
Playing in her home state
Obviously it is an amazing feeling. Dani and I were talking about being interviewed in high school about this event. That is how long this event has been building up. It is definitely a relief to get here, we did have a lot of pressure. Now that we are actually here, we can play, have fun and everything will work out the way it is supposed to.

Senior OH Dani Mancuso
On growing up in Omaha and playing in the Final Four
It’s definitely a dream come true, just to have the support of the whole state behind our backs and behind our team with what we are trying to accomplish this weekend.

Sophomore defensive specialist Rachel Schwartz
On balancing academics with team preparations
I was actually studying before I got here, because I have a test coming up here at 2 p.m. But this is a once in lifetime event, so I am trying to focus on enjoying this. I try to manage my time and get my schoolwork done so I can focus on this.  

2006 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship

Press Conference #1 ? Stanford ? Dec. 13 ? Qwest Center Omaha
Head Coach: John Dunning
Student Athletes: Kristin Richards, Foluke Akinradewo

Head Coach John Dunning
Opening Statement
"I would to say that we are honored to be here, this is an amazing event. Our team has been here before, but from our understanding this is the biggest final four in scope in the history of our sport. Not only is it great for us to be here as a team, it is just amazing for volleyball and I think we need to give credit to volleyball in the State of Nebraska back to the years that Terry Pettit developed the program who for so long brought the crowds along, finished the (NU) Coliseum, and passed on to John (Cook) to continue the program and watch it grow. I think we all have to thank them for being a mentor in our sport and the University of Hawai’i for all that they have done to help develop the game.

"I want to give credit to the athletes here with me. What a pleasure it is to see athletes of this caliber, playing this game at a higher level than anyone else has ever played."

On playing Washington in the national semifinal:
"Jim (McLaughlin) is going to bring things to the table that are a little bit different. He’s a very good coach, a very good tactical coach and I’m sure his team will be full of surprises. I think we played much better against them the second time (this year). I think it was partly due to the adjustments we made to play against them. We are both different teams than we were three weeks ago when we played last.

On the balance of his team:
"It makes you harder to play against, there is no doubt about it. I think a lot of the credit goes to the people ball-handling on our team, Kristin, great primary passer, Jess Fishburn, they get the ball to our setter and control it. I think Bryn (Kehoe) is a really special player, very competitive, she likes to spread it around. She really likes deceving the other side of the net and that makes openings for us, and I think she’s done better as the year has progressed. I think our hitters have found more of their niche in running the offense as the season has went along as well. We’ve added some things in, and I think it really helps. A lot of credit has to go to Bryn, but it also has to go to these hitters.

Senior OH Kristin Richards
On playing Washington in the national semifinal:
"Washington is a very talented team. Jim McLaughlin has done a fabulous job coaching that team and arriving at the final four two years in a row. It’s ironic that we are seeing them in the (national) semis again. It should be a great match. It’s going to be some good volleyball."

On playing in front of a sell-out crowd at the Qwest Center:
"The atmosphere is a little intimidating, but very, very exciting. Nebraska has done a lot for the sport of volleyball, and we’re very excited to be playing here. Playing in Nebraska last season was a crazy experience, the last time I’ve felt that was when we played at Hawai’i, in front of 10,000 people and Nebraska far surpassed that. Being one of those of those teams that could be part of something so great is very, very exciting. I wanted so badly for the rest of my team to experience something this great. I wanted to give credit to all of the younger players that have worked so hard to get us here."

Sophomore MB Foluke Akinradewo
On playing Washington in the national semifinal:
"Washington is a great team. Every time that we’ve played them the past year for me, it’s been great. They are very physical and disciplined. It’s always been tough playing them. Our team has worked hard, and I think we are going to have to be ready to battle."

On Stanford currently:
"I think earlier in the season it felt the (team) was new to us. Sure, we were a team, but we really didn’t have that team togetherness. I think as the year goes on, we learn more about one another, and I think we all improved individually. I think when we played (Washington) in the past, we were a little timid. When we played them the second time, we had more confidence.