Dec. 6, 2008
Stanford Head Coach John Dunning
General thoughts:
"I'd like to congratulate Long Beach State on a great season. I always enjoy coaching against Brian (Gimmillaro). I spent a lot of time talking with him. They had a great season, winning the Big West. I'd like to congratulate Cynthia (Barboza) and her classmates (the five 2008 Stanford seniors) on an amazing home career here in Maples Pavilion - they had their last home match tonight and had a great win to finish."
On pulling out the second set win despite Long Beach State grabbing the momentum:"They're (Stanford's players) just so experienced. I thought Long Beach stepped it up, but I also think that we also kind of maybe backed off or relaxed for just a second and let them make some good plays. It takes that much to turn it a little bit, and we went back on the court (after a timeout) very experienced, very determined. Right here, there's a lot of experience and they just turned it around. We've had that happen a lot of times this year where we went ahead, lost it, and turned it around. There's just a lot of experience. I think there's a lot of fight, which is what you need this time of year."
On Cassidy Lichtman and her ability to be Stanford's setter in 2008:
"It's amazing. She's just a volleyball player who gets the game, so if you're asking for someone to come in and set in a situation without that knowledge, it would be very hard. But she's got a good ace in her deck with all that she knows about volleyball."
On third-round opponent Florida:
"Every year, Florida is good...I think their team is very emotional, very positive. I know this year, they have quite a bit of youth in their lineup. They have really good players, and we will have a great match with them. I think the Top 16 in the country might be the best it's ever been this year."
Senior Cynthia Barboza
On this week, off the court:
"This week's a big hump. It's hard. It's finals week, so you have to juggle having all of your finals before you hit the road. We can't all practice at the same time, like I have to miss practice on Monday because I have finals from 12 until 6. It's tough to juggle, but I think we've got enough experience going though the process. We know how to help each other out, how to help the freshman through it. It's all about time management, but you really don't get into Stanford unless time management is one of your strengths. So I think our team will do a good job with it."
Long Beach State Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro
General Thoughts:
"We were never in the match. Stanford is one of the best teams in the nation. We just have to find ways to score and keep points and just steal a set here and there. We just couldn't get to that point...We didn't play well. Stanford might have been the entire reason for that. I don't know. I didn't like the execution on our side of the net, but the pressure that Stanford put on us influences the way you play. Your execution is influenced by the pressure put on you by other teams, and the other team put a lot of pressure on us consistently."
On Stanford's blocking:
"They are a very good blocking team. They haven't had a very good blocking year, but they are a very good blocking team. You have to do things that don't run into the teeth of the block, and we didn't do that."
On seniors Nicole Vargas, Iris Murray and Quincy Verdin:
"These three have had very successful years. They've always gone to the NCAA tournament. They've won a round under dire conditions almost every year. Great kids. Successful...we'll miss them. I wish I had them longer...they are good examples to their teammates."
Senior Nicole Vargas
On disputed calls playing into the Long Beach State performance:
"If we were doing what we needed to do, then maybe it shouldn't have been such a factor and maybe we should be able to move on and get right back into it. I don't think it really got us down, but you know, there were some calls that you just wish had gone the other way."
Senior Quincy Verdin
On what to pass on to younger teammates:
"They're very talented and they're in the right place. They'll get what they need from the coaches. So yea, they're in the right place at Long Beach State."
Senior Iris Murray
On coming back from injury:
"I always had the support of my teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone at Long Beach State...Every day I was in rehab, I was thinking about coming back strong and being a better athlete. And I think that injury made me a better athlete."