California Pre-Game Quotes
March 23, 2008
Head Coach Joanne Boyle
(Opening Statement) "We have to understand that it will be a physical, up tempo game tomorrow. There will be a lot of ball pressure and we just have to be ready to play."
(On the status of Rama N’diaye) "She had an X-ray and it was negative. We are just waiting on the MRI."
(On maybe having to play without Rama N’diaye) "We talked about it last night and we have been in the situation before where we have lost players. We didn’t have Devanei for half the year this year, we didn’t have Alexis last year and people have always stepped up. Our kids have always embraced the adversity and they won’t let it set us back. What you’re going to see is a couple more minutes from Devanie and Ashley than you would normally see. You’re going to have Krista (Foster) in there. Kelsey Adrian has played a lot of four for us which helps extend the defense. We will still be able to have a four post rotation, it’s just a matter of what the match ups look like."
(On what is seen by George Washington’s defense) "Joe (McKeown) has changed it up this year. He runs obviously man to man, a lot of pressure and he’ll run the blizzard defense which he has done ever since I have known him, which is either an aggressive pressing 1-1-2-1 or it goes back to a quarter court. It’s a lot of pressure and you have to be able to advance the ball past the free throw line and you have sweet spots. The high post, the short corner, the baseline. There are definitely openings in it, but you have to be able to handle their guard pressure."
(On the importance of staying out of foul trouble) "We like to play, so I would appreciate if they (the officials) let us play. You get into the final 32 and I think they do let you play. You just have to be smart. I think the biggest thing is making the adjustment to how they are calling it. I said to somebody coming over here, the big focal point will be who can stay out of foul trouble and keep their players on the floor. That’s huge for us and our kids know that and they did a good job of it last night. So we just have to adjust to the officiating whatever it is."
F/C Devanei Hampton
(On the match up with the Adair sisters) "I have a twin too in Ashley (Walker). Ashley and I say we are basically sisters. That’s the chemistry we have on the floor and off the floor and that’s how we play. It’s just the difference that her sister is on the bench more so than Ashley is on the floor with me, so more rebounding coming from Ashley. It’s going to be a really good match up. I don’t think they play 30 minutes like we do, so we have the ability to run up and down the floor and get fast breaks. We will be ready for the both of them plus (Antelia) Parrish.
(On impressions of George Washington post play) "They are really big. They are really good with the turn around jump shot. It’s going to be a really good match up for Ashley and I, more so for Ashley. I am used to playing bigger posts. Kristen Thompson from ASU and Jayne (Appel). They are similar to Adair, so it’s not like something I haven’t seen before."
G Natasha Vital
(On the importance of getting out to a fast start) "It’s always good for us to start off quickly and establish the post inside. We always look to do that, but if they aren’t open, or we can’t get them the ball inside, our guards will be ready to step up and show the world our guards can play too, not just the post. But of course we will look to go inside."
(On getting cheered at Maples Pavilion) "We don’t really get a lot of those (cheers) when we come here, but it feels really good. The Stanford fans have been supporting us a lot and we have a lot of people from back home who come down to watch the games. It feels good to hear my mom screaming in the crowd."
F Krista Foster
(On what it means to the rest of the team to play without Rama N’Diaye) "It’s definitely an unfortunate event when someone on your team gets hurt, but we have depth on our team. We have all been preparing for an opportunity to play. I know Devanei and Ashley will step it up knowing they will be playing a little bit more minutes. Whether it be me or Kelsey whoever goes in at the four, stepping up as well. I know our guard play is great being an inside out game. So everybody just stepping up and playing to the best of their ability."
