Dec. 5, 2009
Postgame quotes for Stanford Volleyball, who advances to the Sweet Sixteen, featuring Head Coach John Dunning and Junior Outside Hitter Alix Klineman
COACH John Dunning
Opening Statement...
I think what I'd like to say first is that St. Mary's did a heck of a job. Understatement to say that they pushed all the way to the edge. They made us really get out of sync, out of rhythm. But I'll tell you what, this team does some amazing things. We could have folded our tent, the stars weren't aligned. But we just fought and fought and fought and game five, it wasn't perfect, but we just kept fighting. They were playing great defense, and we matched their defense in game five. The days that life isn't perfect, you just have to push, and if you do, maybe you're going to win. That's what today was for us.
On Stanford's effort after losing the first set...
I think what's happened today around the country is that people have decided to get after the Pac-10. We had a lot of success in the season, and people were pushing every one of the Pac-10 teams. We just have to keep fighting. They went after us in game one. This was a great opportunity for them to get us. Then we fought back. We're really young. Our character is growing. Every time we step out on the court, we're growing. Our toughness, intelligence, experience. Today, even though we're all a little tired right now, may have been something that we had to go through for next weekend in order to be good enough.
On playing Michigan in the next round...
At this point, we don't know a lot about Michigan. We're going to have to go back to the drawing board and look at them and make up a game plan. I know the Big 10 was really tough this year. Michigan had some great wins. They're the only team to push Penn State to five [sets] this year. So we don't really enough about them other to know that they're really good and they're going to come out here wanting to get us. A lot of studying this week, and that's right along with finals week this week too. So we've got a lot of things to do.
On Alix Klineman's play tonight...
As we've gone through the season, Alix has gotten stronger, her shoulder's gotten more healthy, her shoulder's been able to hold up under all the pressure of all the matches we've had to play. She's getting better, stronger, playing better than she has the whole year. The interesting thing is that she's done this for three years. Each year, as she's gotten to the end of the season, she's gotten better and saved her best matches for last. We're leaning on her a lot and that won't change next weekend.
Alix Klineman
On the back-and-forth nature of the match...
"It felt like we just got off to a late start. We definitely did not approach the first set the way we should have. We got out to the 2-1 lead but once again, we needed to fight harder to close out the match in the fourth set. When we got into the fifth set, I feel like we cranked it up early and then held on for the win."
On facing a 1-0 deficit at home...
"I think all year long we have proved that we can score points when we need to. But we still have work to do, because these are the types of games you play at this time of the season. Ultimately, the goal is to keep moving on and we accomplished that tonight."
Saint Mary's Head Coach Rob Browning
On the match
I think we did a great job against a great program. We came into this match knowing that we would win. Not just hoping. We are a very confident team actually. And they believed it and they played like it until the final whistle. They believed they could win. And they are hurting right now because they put everything into it and left everything on the court.
On the Gaels' overall season
They had a great year. At some point we will look back at what a great year it was. And that is what I have told the girls. And the sooner they get over this and realize how great a year it was and how wonderfully they played in this game, the better it will be.
On the play of his team and his seniors
It was a very good year. We are proud of our team. We are proud of our seniors and they are really the catalyst of this team and the way they played tonight was indicative of who they been and how they have been their four years here.