Stanford University vs Cleveland State Post Game Quotes
March 22, 2008
Stanford
Head Coach Tara VanDerveer
Sophomore forward/center Jayne Appel
Sophomore guard Rosalyn Gold-Onwude
Senior guard Candice Wiggins
VanDerveer: "Our team came out and went inside to Jayne and Jayne really delivered for us. ? Our whole team, I thought, played real well defensively and (Rosalyn Gold-Onwude) had really a tough matchup playing (CSU’s Kailey) Klein and J.J. (Hones) played against (CSU’s Brittany) Korth and I thought they both did a real good job because we were switching a lot. Our players communicated well and Candice (Wiggins) always brings great energy. ? It was an excellent first-round game and I know we have to play better on Monday night and we will."
On Appel playing against smaller players:
VanDerveer: I think Jayne handled it perfectly and she just said, ?˜Play my game’ and our team looked for Jayne. ? Everyone, they were going to Jayne and Jayne delivered. I think Jayne just made the commitment to herself and to her team that if they’re going to be bumping me or playing me 1-on-1, give me the ball. I thought she did really, really well.
On the lack of competitiveness in the game:
VanDerveer: You can’t control another team. Where we have to look at is did we do the best that we could and there’s always things that we can do better. I think there’s advantages for us. People are coming in with confidence and we’re able to get everyone out there in an NCAA game and everyone played well, so I don’t think there’s a disadvantage.
Comparing UTEP and WKU:
VanDerveer: I think they’d both be tough matchups. They’re really kind of similar teams with great post players, inside game. ? Both teams have inside matchups that in some ways are more traditional and they have excellent guard play and excellent three-point shooters.
On CSU’s Kailey Klein:
Gold-Onwude: I think Klein like the rest of her teammates, she plays very hard. They cut hard, they run, they run a good motion-like offense and you have to be pressuring at all times because when you sleep that’s when they’re going to cut in front of you, go back door. ? That’s what we focused on in practice and I think that we did a good job on it and I think (Klein’s) a very good player.
On the significance of the second round after Stanford lost there last season:
VanDerveer: We have addressed it and I figure if they can get into Stanford, they can figure that out.
Appel: I think we had a really good pregame talk from Candice, actually. It got me in the right mindset going into the game knowing that we had defended Maples all year and we will continue to. I think that was what our team needed me to do at that point in time and I think all good players step up when they need to.
On Wiggins’ pregame talk:
Wiggins: It was just about how special this is and make sure that we don’t want anyone to come in here and beat us in our own gym. People know that. It’s just motivation and it was stuff that this whole team has been the whole year.
On the ease of Appel’s matchup:
Appel: Our team knew, we were told by Tara to go inside, it was working, keep going to that. I think that was most nervous I’ve been all year before this game. ? I don’t remember anyone being that small (her defender). Maybe one of the exhibition games this year, but I don’t remember any specific games.
On Appel’s strong game:
Gold-Onwude: She’s not only blessed physically, but she’s smart, she works hard. I don’t think it takes much more than common sense. She has a height advantage. She’s a very good player and I think that our guards on the wings, especially Candice, especially J.J., really did a good job of getting to her, reading the defense. We’ve been dealing with that all year.
On Wiggins’ technical foul:
Wiggins: I don’t think I’ve gotten a technical foul since I’ve been in college. I had a lot of energy and really emotional for me. The whole team was playing me really tough. They would push and all that kind of stuff. Usually it’s not a problem. I just get my emotions get the best of me. Tara told me right after, she’s like, ?˜You can’t make mistakes like that. You can’t do that.’ I understand. It’s very careless of me but I don’t think it will happen again. It just happened. It’s a part of the game. It happens.
VanDerveer: I know it won’t (happen again.)