May 6, 2010
NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship
Semifinal #1 Quotes
No. 3 Penn State vs No. 2 Cal State Northridge
May 6, 2010
Penn State Head Coach Mark Pavlik
Opening Statement
"First I want to congratulate the Matadors. It was simply an outstanding year for them. After what we experienced three weeks ago, we asked our players to pass and serve, be disciplined in their defensive assignments and attack the block intelligently. We asked them to play with pride and passion and I think we did that."
"When we played them last time we were on the 40th day of travel. We didn't have the pop. We stayed with them until 20-20 but had no gas in the tank. Tonight I think we were physical enough to push through."
On a coming to play MPSF schools during the regular season -
"We knew we would have to come and play a tough MPSF team so we went to Hawaii and played in front of the Hawaii crowd. We played at Irvine, at Long Beach, at UC Santa Barbara and at Northridge and it wasn't about wins and losses. It is hard to win on the road. It is the toughest schedule I have had for any team and we played it in hopes we would be ready to go."
Student-Athlete Max Lipsitz -
On stopping Northridge
"I think this is the best prepared we have been all season. Our coaching staff and manager Chris Birch had a great scouting report. We knew what to expect and were in the right place at the right times."
On having NCAA experience -
"I think it was a big advantage tonight. I remember when I was a freshman it is overwhelming. The media, fans and alumni are here. Since we have been here before we were able to be calm and settle down and realize it is just another volleyball match."
Student-Athlete Will Price
On losing at Northridge during the regular season -
"We knew when we walked out of that match that they really didn't do anything special. We didn't execute and play like we were capable of. We had a great scouting report and just executed."
On the perception that the MPSF is the toughest conference -
"We are just as physical as any team and when we are firing on all cylinders we are as good as any team. Penn State fields a team that is as good as anyone in the nation."
Cal State Northridge Head Coach Jeff Campbell
Opening statement -
"I am obviously disappointed. I would have liked us to play harder and more efficient. We were stiff and played with nerves. We started playing well in game three, but give Penn State credit. (Joe) Sunder and (Will) Price played really well."
On beating Penn State in Northridge during the regular season -
"It was a big advantage not playing the night before that match and playing at home. We handled them that night. I think that match worked against us mentally tonight. The bottom line was we looked like we haven't been here in 17 years and they looked like they are here every year. We didn't play like we did all year long. Penn State served well and our passer didn't handle the serve until the third set."
Student-Athlete Kevin McKniff
On Penn State defense tonight -
"They blocked really well. We had trouble passing early and balls were close to the net so our offense was out of rhythm."
On being picked eighth in the preseason poll -
"I think we were an experienced team with five seniors, but I think people just underestimated us."
Student Athlete Theo Edwards
On the end of the season -
"I am so proud of this team. I'm proud to play for this coach and to represent Cal State Northridge."