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Head Coach Jerritt Elliott
Opening Statement
“First of all, we’re really excited to be here and have this opportunity to compete with a lot of good teams in our conference. For us it is kind of fate. It’s been putting us back to this spot where we have some unfinished business to do. We know the teams that we are going to play are very competitive. The matches this week are going to showcase the Big 12 and the elite level of volleyball we are able to play at and play at a venue that is going to be a very memorable time for out team and to really enjoy this journey. If we’re fortunate enough to be the team that comes out of this region, that will make us even more prepared for the final four."
On the “Big 12 Semifinal”
“It showcases our conference in terms of level of play. We’re not upset we’re here; we figured there would be a 50/50 shot. We knew that this was a place we could end up and that is why we scheduled the way we did in the preseason to be able to form this. The only disappointing part is that it is all Big 12 teams because we are all very talented. I feel like we have the opportunity to have three or four teams that could potentially be in the final four and we will have to eliminate each other. That is the difficult part. The NCAA has a responsibility to these young ladies, and as coaches we want to make their experience very enjoyable. They ask us to follow rules, they ask us to drug test and not to break the rules and gamble. The one time they are actually able to give back to the student-athlete in making the bracket, I think they did a very poor job. I don’t think they meant to. I think it is a lack of experience in the room. If it were men’s basketball in the ACC and Maryland, Duke and North Carolina were all in the top 10, I don’t think they would ever put those teams in that same bracket. That is the unfortunate part about this. We’re excited to be here. We’re ready to compete, and we’ve been waiting for a long time for this opportunity.”
On the grind of the regular season
“I think that is what we’ve tried to do as a staff and as a team, is enjoy the journey. We have a really special group that has worked really hard for the University of Texas, for the program and each other. We’ve had a lot of fun; we’ve had a lot of tears on senior night in looking back at how special our experience has been. We’re in the mix. Every coach here wants to get it the final four and be a national championship team. There are many teams who have that capability and we are one of them. Obviously in sports, seasons are defined by being the ultimate winner. If you don’t’ reach that goal you aren’t considered a champion. That is the difficult part about it. These athletes sitting up here will always look back at this experience and run they’ve had as being very memorable. There would be nothing more enjoyable for me as a coach to take that next step Friday night and continue the journey. That is what it is about. We have the team to be able to do that. We’ll have to perform at a very high level. I am excited to go to battle with them for one more match.”
Destinee Hooker
On how the team has worked together to be leaders
“Two of our seniors are captains. I really look up to these ladies. I feel like with each practice we’ve been working really hard. We’ve put all of our practice into game situations so we can be successful. Friday against (Texas) A&M, it’s the Lonestar showdown again, and I’m looking forward to playing with these girls.”
Juliann Faucette
On stopping Texas A&M’s flow
“I think it is just focusing on our side of the net. Obviously they are a good team, and we’ve seen them before. I think right now they are pretty hot coming into the tournament. It is a good test to our conference, it’s awesome, but I think that focusing on our side of the net will have to do the job.”
Ashley Engle
On playing Texas A&M in Omaha
“I think the environment will be loud. I don’t know if anyone will be rooting for us necessarily. I think it is more us staying together and finding our rhythm early and having fun with whatever the crowd brings and the noise. I think since we’re both Texas teams I don’t know how the Nebraska fans will feel.”
On what it says about the conference to have five teams in the Sweet 16
“I’m really proud to be a part of the Big 12 Conference. I think that it maybe doesn’t get as much recognition as some of the other conferences out there. It’s been a really tough season. That is why there are a lot of wins and losses. I think it is maybe a little unfortunate that we are all in the same spot. It speaks highly that there is a lot of talent and a lot of great volleyball players in the Big 12.”