St. John's University Athletics
NCAA Volleyball Post-Game Quotes
12/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 1, 2007
QUEENS, N.Y. - Delaware Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Bonnie Kenny
On a first round win over Princeton:
"First I would like to congratulate Princeton on giving us all that we could handle. We watched a lot of tape on them and I thought they had a wonderful season. They are a team that has been to the NCAA's and I thought that they executed better than we did, but once we got our outside hitter's going and our middle's involved in our offense it opened us up a little along the net. I thought we were very physical with our blocking. That was the best we have blocked all year, hands down. I think that was the difference in the match."
On the key to the shift in momentum:
"In the first game we missed to many serves to get any momentum, but then we did start serving the ball better. The quickest way to score points is serving and blocking and I thought those were the two things especially in game two which put us on a roll. It was in our game-plan to run the middle and Paige Erickson really stepped up and opened things up for our other players."
On the size differential:
"I'm not so sure if it is our size. We are very physical and we are pretty strong. To me, I thought that was obvious. The physicality and strength of our team created power for us. I don't think we are a big team, but we are dynamic and we move well."
Senior Outside Hitter Colleen Walsh
On being nervous entering the game:
"I feel like it was surprisingly calm. I think we were more excited than anything. Maybe we were a little over-excited to start. You can see a team on tape, but we had never seen them in person so the first ten points against us came quick. We wanted to play our game, but some of us just wanted to see what was happening on the side of the net."
On turning the program around:
"One of the biggest factors is that we decided that a losing season was not going to happen again. We worked hard in the off-season this past year and our freshmen came early so we could train together. The fact that we have people who are willing to work hard everyday no matter when, is the reason why it changed."
Senior Outside Hitter Kelly Gibson
On helping to turn the program around:
"I think it had a lot to do with team chemistry and how we all came together. We mesh well and play well together. We have spent so much time together that we know each other and how we all play. Being comfortable on the court has a lot to do with it."
Princeton Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Glenn Nelson
Opening Statement:
" I felt the difference was there were so many plays where we hit the ball on the top of their block and they managed to get it up. When they hit the ball on the top of our block, which was a little higher and a little harder, we never got to it. So ultimately their size was a factor because they could jump a little higher and they were bigger than us. One thing I mentioned before the match was that we had to convert our opportunities because we'll create them. One thing that happened was we didn't convert enough of them. You've got to give Delaware credit, they're better defensively than I thought they'd be. "
On the size of Delaware's players:
"We seen their kind of size in our league and we've been able to handle it. They had a little more size and were a little more athletic. They made so many plays where I thought the play was over and they'd get under the ball."
Junior Setter Bailey Robinson
On the effects of not playing for three weeks:
"I think that not playing for a few weeks had some effects in the outcome tonight. After not playing and coming back after Thanksgiving break you're a little slower and a little off-speed so I think ultimately they were big and athletic and we were just athletic."
Junior Outside Hitter Parker Henritze
On wrapping up the season:
"I don't think this loss put a dent in our season because we just competed in the NCAA tournament so we've accomplished everything and more that we expected at the beginning of the year. I think we set the bar a little bit higher for ourselves for next year."
LIU Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Tony Rens
Opening Statement:
"I'm extremely proud of these two seniors and the other three on my team. The five of them collectively have done so much for LIU volleyball and really put us on the map. The effort that they give day in and day out, I trust that everyone here saw that on the court. It's a special group that's done a lot for the university and I think represented LIU and the NEC conference exceptionally well. They've been a pleasure to coach the last two to three years and with the success that we've had and the difference that these girls have made collectively as a group is just phenomenal."
On what turned the game around in the second game:
"St. John's is a great team and they do such a great job on keeping constant pressure on you. They really made us work hard for the points but at the same time I think we really made them earn their points. Both teams were playing high-level volleyball. We knew that they were capable of making runs because they are a great team just like we were capable of making runs ourselves. They did a bit better on keeping the ball in play but all in all it was good volleyball down that stretch."
On the excitement of the borough rivalry:
"I'm so glad this game was in our backyard because our fans who has been phenomenal the past few years had a chance to experience the atmosphere and give their love and appreciation back to the players. It's been a good love affair between our fans and the other student athletes who were in attendance giving their support. It's been a really great experience."
Senior Outside Hitter Martina Wagner
On the rivalry between St. John's and LIU:
"It was very convenient for us playing not far from our school. It was fun and it was great having our fans here because they're so supportive."
Senior Outside Hitter Shelby Haggie
On the difference tonight:
"It was crazy loud in there! We couldn't even hear coach during the timeouts. I feel like it helped us at times but every once in a while we'll get caught up in it. It was a really great experience to be in an environment like this."
On playing a nationally ranked team:
"I think we represented the NEC very well and we really set a tone in the last two to three years to put the NEC on the map and playing a team like this, as well as we did, set the tone for future years."
On the borough rivalry:
"Being here and experiencing having all of our fans here, regardless of the loss makes it a really special experience. It couldn't have happened better in a loss in my opinion."
St. John's Post Game Quotes
Head Coach Joanne Persico-Smith
On her feelings after the game:
"I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. It was a great environment and I want to thank all our fans and everyone who worked hard for St. John's and helped make this happen, especially my players and coaches."
On what turned the game around for the Red Storm:
"These girls do not give up and they push through no matter what and even if they are not in great rhythm they still manage a way to work together and not get flustered and continue to play each point as hard as they can. We have good senior leaders and that is a big part of it."
On the performance of LIU:
"We played them in the spring and they gave us a great matchup then. They match up well against us. They are a good blocking team and they have a lot of experience as well. We knew it would be a difficult match but we are excited to be here and face a great opponent."
On the Boro rivalry:
"It was great because LIU had great fan support as well as the tremendous amount of fans there for St. John's. It made for a really enthusiastic crowd. That is great because it helps us to promote the sport of volleyball and try and introduce people to the game and show them the high level it can be played at."
On facing Delaware:
"We are going to look at the tape tonight and once again we really have to focus on our side first and after that we can make adjustments during the match. We really don't look ahead. Up until right now we have not said the word Delaware or Princeton."
Senior Outside Hitter Dana DeMayo
On facing her former team LIU:
"I did not play with most of the girls there but it definitely made for an emotional night. It was awesome. LIU has great fans and I could hear the LIU fans throughout the whole game whether they were winning or losing."
Senior Middle Blocker Hui Ping Huang
On the environment at Carnesecca Arena:
"I think it was wonderful. I love to play at home because of the fans that support us. The crowd was great and was in favor of our team all night."
Senior Setter Wioleta Leszczynska
On the pressure of the game:
"There was a little pressure of St. John's and Long Island because of the prestige of the game, but we were expecting them to come and play hard so it was something that we knew would happen. We are just glad we won this first important game."
On teammates Hui Ping Huang and Casie Brooks:
"Ping is the type of player that I can trust every time when we are on the court. Whenever we are having a hard time or are down by double-figures I can always set her the ball and she will do the right thing. Casie is also a great player. She works very hard and plays very consistently. I know that when I play right side to Casie she will always put the ball in."
