|
NCAA Press Conference Quotes 3-19-04
3/19/2004 Quotes from Friday in Chattanooga
The following Vanderbilt and Lipscomb quotes are from Friday’s press conferences at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn. Vanderbilt head coach Melanie Balcomb and student-athletes Jenni Benningfield, Hillary Hager and Carla Thomas. Lipscomb head coach Frank Bennett and student-athletes Monica Blake, Courtney Boynton and Kendra Ramsey.
Vanderbilt Quotes
Head coach Melanie Balcomb
Opening Statement:
“We are looking forward to getting started. We’ve been off for 10 days. We’ve gotten over the flu and tired legs. We are excited to be in Chattanooga and hope to have a good crowd from Nashville.”
On possibly playing a lower seed on its home floor:
“It is one of those things that we feel we can not control. As coaches, we do the best with the situation. The seed doesn’t matter. Now we have to play the game. We have to play against the team we drew and play where they tell us to play. All of our games from here on out will be on the road, and we have to play all of the games where they tell us to play.”
On Lipscomb:
“They are extremely well-coached. They have strong team play and team chemistry. They are fundamentally strong on offense and work very hard on defense. They have shooters on the outside, and they have a strong post player on the inside. We have to be ready to play.”
FORWARD JENNI BENNINGFIELD
On playing Lipscomb:
“This is a very important game. We have to take them one at a time. We are focused on what we have to do. Lipscomb is a good team, and we all know that. All 64 teams are going after the same thing, and we know how important the first game is.
On the similarities and differences of game:
“We are very confident in each other regardless of who is playing well each night. We are all on the same page. Everyone is ready to go.”
On being a No. 2 seed:
“Being a second seed is great, but we’re taking it one game at a time. Our fan support is great. Hillary (Hager) and I have been to the Elite Eight twice and we’re sharing what we’ve been through with the younger team members.”
GUARD HILLARY HAGER
On the similarities and differences of game:
“This is always an exciting time of the year. It’s like conference and getting ready for that.”
On recently getting over the flu:
“It was really good timing. Some of us had it during the tournament and it just went down the line. We are all over it now.”
FORWARD CARLA THOMAS
On what the upper classmen are telling her about the NCAA:
“They aren’t really telling me much. It is really intense. The intensity is just the same as the SEC tournament.”
Lipscomb Quotes
Head coach Frank Bennett
Opening Statement
“We’re having a great time here. This is a new thing for us. It’s the first time we’ve been eligible to compete for conference and the first time we’re eligible for the NCAA. The media coverage has gone from small to large. It is a great challenge to play against the No. 2 seed. We are proud to be one of the six teams from Tennessee in the tournament. At one point we were 4-7 and had low times, but the girls bought into the program and we’re happy to be here.”
“Katie Beth Pate was 6-foot-5, 135 pounds as a high school senior. She played on a high school team with Sherill Baker who is now playing at Georgia. They won two state titles. Her role for us has been to rebound and block shots. We thought that she had a lot of potential. Our strength coach has done a great job with her. The best thing for her is to believe how good she can be. She’s come a long way. Not only does she block a lot of shots, she alters shots. People are beginning to look for her instead of at the basket. She’s also doing well on the offensive end.”
On Vanderbilt:
“A vulnerability is hard to find. They are obviously very good and are one of the top eight or 10 teams in the nation. They have great inside capabilities. They are good shooters. Their freshmen have developed. It is hard to find a weak area to attack. We really have to be smart and patient.
POST MONICA BLAKE
On the experience of being in the NCAA:
“Up to now, we had not been able to play for the conference and it’s really exciting for us to be here.”
On facing Vanderbilt:
“Vanderbilt is a big team. They are strong. We respect them in every aspect. Both teams are well prepared for this game. It’s funny that we’re both from Nashville and we meet here in Chattanooga.”
On wearing kneepads:
“We are required to wear the kneepads. Coach (Bennett) thinks that they help us. They do seem to help us hustle.”
WING COURTNEY BOYNTON
On the experience of being in the NCAA:
“This is something that I’ve watched on TV all my life and now we’re here. I’m savoring every second of it.”
On facing Vanderbilt:
“We know how good they are. We play with them in the summer. We respect them.”
GUARD KENDRA RAMSEY
On the experience of being in the NCAA:
“You see this on TV all the time but it’s kind of neat to come in see all the lights and everything.”
On facing Vanderbilt:
“We all know how good and competitive they are.”
|
