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.