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Head Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch
Opening Statement
“We’re happy to be here after the crazy weather in Iowa and a long bus ride. We’re happy to finally be here and are excited to be playing in the Qwest Center. I really believe it is one of the best places in the country in terms of the event itself and the fans. We’re really excited to be playing in this venue and playing Nebraska, who is obviously very talented and seems to be playing well. (They) handled us pretty well last time we played (and are) playing on what is basically a home court for them. We know that this is a big challenge for us. To make it short, we’re just glad to be here and are looking forward to playing tomorrow night.”
On the weather in Ames yesterday
“It was a little crazy. We did not practice yesterday, which was tough for me to have to cancel. We literally could not get out of our houses, apartments and neighborhoods. It was impossible to practice. That is a little crazy to me to think about the week of the sweet 16 you have to call off practice. We tried to look at it as a blessing in disguise, maybe our legs will be a little fresher and our arms will be a little stronger. It was insane in Ames yesterday. Trying to travel in the middle of the day, just getting to my office took 45 minutes. I was determined to get there. It was tough and I knew it would be tougher for my athletes to get there.”
On their preparation time being cut this week
“When we saw the brackets come out, you were looking at who is where. We figured out where we could be playing down the road. I definitely saw pros and cons to that. The pros are that we did have less preparation. I don’t know if that means we watched any less tape, because you become obsessive at this time of year. Our players feel very comfortable knowing what is coming at them. There are not a lot of new things we need to throw at them. In that way it is more comfortable because there is not a whole lot we have to go over.”
On playing in a regional close to Ames
“I think fans and our players are very excited to be coming here and playing close to home, some of them in their hometown. Playing in the Qwest Center, for many of them, is a dream that they’ve had for the last couple of years. Some of them have seen final fours here. For our players in particular it is pretty special. Our fans were really excited to have a bid last weekend, to be able to watch us play one more time in Hilton (Coliseum) for the first and second round. The issue is that we also play Iowa in men’s basketball tomorrow night. I think some fans are torn, but I think we’ll have a good turnout. They are excited to come see us play one more time.”
On playing Nebraska in the Qwest Center
“That is big. It is big playing Nebraska in the Qwest Center. It is going to feel big to them, getting out in that big arena with thousands of fans. I think the most important thing we can do is take a few deep breaths and cut out the distractions. (They need to) realize the game is played down on the floor. We’ve played some really tough road matches this year against good teams with great crowds and great road environments. I think we’ve become a pretty good road team, I think that is what this will feel like, even though we are playing close to home. I think this will feel like a road game against a tough component with a great crowd. We’ve done pretty well this year in that environment.”
On coming home to play in Nebraska
“I love coming here. I am most excited because this is such a great place to play, that is what I am most excited about. My family all still lives here. I love coming back here. We carted my son off to my relatives so we could all get some sleep tonight, that is a nice perk. I love coming whether it is to Lincoln or Omaha, it is really fun for me to come back to Nebraska.”
On if the team has achieved their goals at this point
“I’m not a big goal person. I think in the back of my head before I start the season I have some things in my mind that I think we can achieve. I felt that if we overachieved or achieved this year, that we would place in the top two in the conference. Having achieved that makes me think that anything is possible. I do not say we’re going to get to the sweet 16 or elite eight, I feel like anything is possible. I am not going to limit my team and say what they are capable of because over the past three years they have exceeded those expectations. As we’ve seen in the tournament already, upsets are happening every night and we are going to go into this regional believing that anything is possible. We’re going to give it our all and see what happens.”
On having beaten both Nebraska and Texas this season
“I think it gives us confidence having beaten both those teams. Simply because in Nebraska’s case, when you look at that number 0-75 you just wonder if it is really possible. Are we just going through the motions or is it ever really going to happen. Once you get that one win you feel like you got over the hump and at least you know it’s possible now. I think the same is true with Texas, although we’ve had a little more success against them and seem to have played them better over the years. They are so talented, you can doubt if it is possible to beat a team like that. I think it gives staff and players a little bit of confidence knowing it can happen. If we play great, it can happen.”
The importance for players to understand significance of what they’ve done for the program
“As a player you are kind of in a bubble and maybe don’t have the ability to reflect on the growth of the program. I’ve heard a lot from alumni in the last couple of weeks, and I think they are very excited. I don’t know if our current players are going to realize what they have achieved. Kaylee Manns, for example, I think she understands that this program has come a long way, but I’m not sure she is really going to enjoy it and reflect on it until she gets out and realizes what a great thing it was. I’ve heard from so many alumni and they are so excited. They always wanted to achieve what we’re doing right now and are living vicariously through us. They are really enjoying it. I know a lot of them are coming this weekend. They are excited to be part of it and are very proud to be a part of this program.”
On what she will tell the team before they go out tomorrow
“I am a big, let’s go over the game plan and this is what we’re going to do, this is how we’re going to block each rotation, just some reminders. (I’m just going to) encourage them to be aggressive and not worry or care about the score, not care about the crowd, just be aggressive. I think we’re a lot better when we don’t think and just play aggressively and see what happens. We’ll encourage them to take good swings off of any ball they can, to be aggressive passing and serving, to get after it defensively. Most importantly, I think we need to remember our identity and what we do well. We’ve become an exceptional defensive team. Typically we’re a pretty great passing team. We’re going to do what we do well, stick with those things and don’t worry about much of anything else. Do those things well, play aggressive and give it your all.
Setter Kaylee Manns
On thinking about the team being an underdog
“Of course just because of home court advantage for Nebraska. We’re very similar teams and we’ve played before. We split one and one (with them) and now is our time to prove who the better team is.”
On what she can do in a game like this to change things up in their game plan
“You never really want to change what you’re doing all season, we’re in a pretty good flow right now offensively. We’re just a great defensive team as everyone knows. You don’t want to change up too much, because that may put your hitters out of rhythm and things like that. You have to go out and capitalize on what you do best.”
On the confidence they have from beating Nebraska on their home court
“It is just nice knowing we have beat them on their home court before, especially in Lincoln. Here they will definitely outnumber us fan-wise and things like that. I think it is just a confidence boost knowing we’ve done this before and we can do it again.”
Outside Hitter Rachel Hockaday
On the confidence they have from beating Nebraska on their home court
“Beating Nebraska was a great game. When they came to our place they killed us, to put it plainly. I think making it to the sweet 16 and playing them here is, being in the tournament is a totally different dynamic. I think both teams will be ready to go, and it will just be a great match. I’m excited, the team is excited.”