Head Coach Tara VanDerveer
(On St. Joseph's)
I was pleased with our defense after they picked us apart last year. We did a great job on the boards. We know Lauren (St. Clair) is a clutch player, and we were able to set good screens on her three-pointer, something we had been working hard on in practice. Sarah's (Dimson) and Susan's (King) hoops were big, also. Al lot of people made some kind of contribution. Another key was the offensive boards, which is something that hadn't been a strong suit in the previous couple games. St. Joseph's really executed well offensively. Beginning with (point guard) Angela Zampella, they are a really head team, one that takes advantage of any mismatch or overplay. They forced us to be creative on offense, they dictated the tempo a bit and never lost their poise.
On Bethany Donaphin (junior forward)I think Bethany played great, and I think she can play like that every game. She came out and played aggressively on offense, and we need that and more. When she stays focused, she does great things. She is a very talented player.
On the potential of getting her 500th win on Sunday (against Pacific):I'm just enjoying tonight. Really, it makes you feel old. It means I've coached a lot of great players.
Junior guard Lauren St. ClairFirst, I have to give credit to (St. Joseph's) Susan Moran. She made a lot of shots down the stretch where I thought I had a hand in her face. We played hard, and people came up with some big, big shots.
(On motivation against playing her hometown team, St. Joseph's, which beat Stanford 69-41 last year):
It was definitely a motivating factor. Last year was like a homecoming, and they spoiled it. I wanted this game more than anything. But, anytime you lose, you want to get it back.
(On getting Tara VanDerveer's 500th career win):
It's important for us to take our season one game at a time, so tonight we were just focused on St. Joseph's. Tomorrow, when we scout UOP, it (No. 500) will be on our minds. It is really exciting and great for Tara, and to get it here on the home court would be very special.
Junior forward Bethany DonaphinWe stayed really composed. We put faith in each other, and everyone came through in overtime. We stayed with things really well, even when we fell behind in overtime.
(On being a presence inside):
My teammates just got me the ball tonight. Tara (Head Coach VanDerveer) had been talking about having a force inside, a go-to player. I wanted to be that tonight, and that's what I focused on.